Islanders wrap up Ragin' Cajun Invitational with loss to Cal

LAFAYETTE, La. - The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Softball program (1-4, 0-0 Southland) closed out its final matchup of the Ragin' Cajun Invitational on Sunday afternoon against the University of California, eventually falling by a 4-1 margin to the Golden Bears.

California's offense struck early against the Islanders in the first frame, as short-stop Lindsay Rood stole home and left fielder Mikayla Coelho sent a homerun to center field to secure a two-run lead. The Blue & Green fought to retaliate against the Golden Bear's early in the second inning as sophomore catcher Whitney Wendel got herself on first from a single through the left side, but her advance was halted at third by a staunch defensive effort. After a scoreless second, Cal extended its lead to 4-0 late in the third frame. The Islanders were quick to respond at the start of the fourth as they got on the board behind a double from former freshman Sammi Thomas, bringing in Whitney Wendel for an RBI. With the lead now down to three, the Golden Bears defense remained intact for the final three frames to seal a 4-1 win over the Islanders.

KEY INNINGS
Top | 4th
>> Freshman Sammi Thomas doubled to right field, scoring Whitney Wendel for an RBI.

AT THE PLATE
>> Fresham INF/OF Kennedy Johnson currently leads the Islanders batting squad with a .333 batting average and 0.667 SLG percentage. The freshman also has five RBIs, one home run, and eight total bases collected under her belt as well.
>> Junior Utility Emily Vela follows up Johnson with a .308 batting average and .400 OB percentage. The Texas native currently leads in runs (2) for the Blue & Green and has collected four total bases throughout the start of the 2019 season.
>> Former Islanders Keagen Helson, Whitney Wendel, Ashleigh Sgambelluri, and Sammi Thomas allocated four runs in the Ragin' Cajun Invitational, all appearing in the Islanders first four games of the 2019 season. 

IN THE CIRCLE
>> Junior Kandace Johnson currently leads the Blue & Green's pitching staff, with three total strikeouts and a 1-0 record under her belt.
>> Ashley Smith is right behind Johnson, also having three collected strikeouts at the start of the 2019 season. The former senior has appeared in all four games and started two to open the 2019 season.

The Islanders completed their first invitational of the 2019 season, going 1-4 against Fordham, Louisiana-Lafayette, ncarnate Word and the University of California.

COMING UP NEXT
The Blue & Green will be traveling to Hammond, La., on Feb. 14 to compete in the Lion Classic. First day of competition is slated for Feb. 15, as the Islanders open against Missouri State at 3 p.m. The second day of competition starts against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, slating off at 11 a.m. The final day of the classic is on Feb. 16 against host Southeastern Louisiana University at 1:30 p.m.

STAY SOCIAL
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