Late Inning Comeback Falls Short Against SLU

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's three-run sixth inning wasn't quite enough this Sunday, as the Islanders took a 9-4 loss at the hands of visiting Southeastern Louisiana at Chapman Field. 

The Lions took an early advantage in the weekend finale, until the Blue and Green managed to cut the SLU lead on a wild pitch in the third frame. After spotting the visitors a 9-1 difference, Corpus Christi recorded three knocks in the sixth inning to pull back within five, thanks in part to a pair of doubles from Keagan Helson and Destiney Diaz. 

With relief pitcher Kandace Johnson surrendering just a single hit in the top of the seventh, the Islanders looked poised to make a comeback in the final stanza, but felt their bid fall just short in a scoreless frame. 

KEY INNINGS
Top of 1st
>> Lions take a 1-0 lead on a fielder's choice RBI
>> SLU double steal gives the visitors an early two-run lead

Top of 2nd
>> Another double steal puts a pair of runners in scoring position, both of which are driven in on a single to third

Top of 3rd
>> SLU single up the middle scores a runner from third for a 5-0 advantage

Bottom of 3rd
>> Kandace Johnson hits a lead off double, advancing to second on an Avery Ratcliff sacrifice bunt
>> Johnson scores two at bats later on a wild pitch

Top of 4th
>> Lions hit a triple, scoring on a throwing error

Top of 6th
>> Three SLU runs score on three hits and an error to make it 9-1

Bottom of 6th
>> Keagan Helson collects her 10th extra base hit on a double down the right field line, scoring Ratcliff from third
>> Destiney Diaz notches the Islanders second double of the frame to score Helson and Kaylee Hoppens, ending the days scoring at 9-4

NOTES
>> With three doubles in Sunday's finale, the Islanders tied the season-high they set in their season-opener against Seton Hall
>> Helson improved her hitting streak to six straight games, reaching first safely in her past seven. The junior is hitting .421 since March 10th
>> Diaz drove in multiple runs for the second time this year, on her two-RBI double in the sixth
>> Johnson went 1-for-3 from the plate, and gave up a single hit over 1.1 IP in the circle

COMING UP NEXT
The Blue and Green travel to Natchitoches, La. next week, facing off with Northwestern State in their third SLC series of 2018. 

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