Box Score CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team honored five members of the 2016 squad before Saturday's series finale against Abilene Christian at Chapman Field. Seniors Alyson Bressie, Stephanie Flores, Cosette Hernandez and Dani Tefft played their final game at Chapman Field of their careers. Athletic trainer Jill Austin was honored for her service to the team and the athletic program.
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Despite a three-run sixth inning, the Islanders (16-29, 5-18) fell to the Wildcats (23-21, 16-8) in the last game at home this season 5-3.
Abilene Christian out-hit the Islanders 6-5. Aspen Auger paced the Blue and Green with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate with an RBI in the loss.
The Wildcats took the lead in the second with a trio of runs on four hits, including a two-RBI single by Peyton Hedrick. ACU extended its lead to 5-0 on a two-run home run Holly Neese in the fifth. All five of the runs for the Wildcats came with two outs.
A&M-Corpus Christi fought back in the sixth with three runs of their own with two outs. Tefft scored on a Jessica Mendez single to center. With Mendez on second, Auger plated the junior with her 13th RBI of the season on a double down the left field line.
Mariah Clay came to the plate looking for her first career hit, and she delivered a shot. The sophomore hammered a ball into the right field gap for a stand-up RBI double.
ACU starting pitcher Hannah Null closed the door on the comeback to secure the victory in seven innings of work with five hits, one earned run, two walks and two strikeouts to her credit.
Islanders righty Stephanie Flores went to the circle on Senior Day. The Mercedes native surrendered six hits, five earned runs and four walks. Flores set a new season high with seven strikeouts against the Wildcats.
FOR THE SENIORS
•The 2016 senior class has combined for more than 60 wins, over 200 hits, 50 RBI and more than 100 strikeouts.
• Bressie has made notable contributions to the program since transferring from Butler Community College before the 2015 season. The Galva, Kan., native drove in the game winning run against Texas A&M-International this season.
• Hernandez has started every game since transferring to the Island. Her 20 strikeouts in 300-career at-bats are the lowest in school history.
• Tefft returned for her senior season to pursue a master's degree. The Sugar Land, Texas, native will finish her career in the top-10 in batting average, runs scored, sacrifice hits and stolen bases.
• Flores has appeared in 32 games with a career ERA of 3.31. She became just the 11th pitcher in program history to record 100 strikeouts in a career, and sits at 115 following this weekend's series.
"I'm extremely proud to say that I have coached these four players," head coach Stephanie Hughes said after the game. "I am going to miss their leadership within this program, which is something you cannot coach. These four have made a lasting impact during this time in our program. The younger players look up to them for guidance, and we will all miss that when they leave."
ON DECK
The Islanders will travel to San Antonio to close out their season against the University of the Incarnate Word with a doubleheader on Friday, before the season finale on Sunday.
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- Go Islanders -
