HAMMOND, La. -- The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi softball team opened its second invitational of the 2019 season against UTSA and Missouri State in a doubleheader competition at the Lion Classic on Feb. 15. The Islanders had a tough debut against a pair of quality opponents, falling 3-5 to the Roadrunners and 4-1 to the Lady Bears.
GAME ONE
Defense was the key points for both the Islanders and UTSA as the opening three frames remained scoreless. The Roadrunners, however, were able to break through the seal at the start of the fourth as they plated three consecutive runs. Trailing UTSA 3-0, the Islanders were unable to respond toward the deficit early and the Roadrunners extended their lead 5-0. With the final inning underway, though, the Islanders were able to spark an offensive streak behind freshman INF/OF
Kennedy Johnson as she singled to second and advanced sophomore C
Whitney Wendel to third base. Freshman C/OF
Alyson Silvas kept the momentum going at the plate as she singled to left field, advancing Johnson to second. Wendel knocked on the board first for the Blue & Green as she notched an unearned run after a Silvas single. As the Roadrunners contested to keep their composure in the circle, freshman INF
Olivia Rivas was able reach first and allow
Kennedy Johnson to get an unearned run after a UTSA fielding error. Cutting the lead to only three runs, sophomore
Ashley Moss sacrificed a grounder to assist Silvas in scoring for an RBI. With the lead shrunk down to just two, the Roadrunners manged to compose their defense and contained the remainder of the Islanders lineup, sealing a 5-3 victory.
KEY INNINGS
Bottom | 7th
>> Freshman INF/OF
Kennedy Johnson singled to second, advancing sophomore catcher
Whitney Wendel to third.
>> Freshman C/OF
Alyson Silvas singled to left field, earning an RBI as Wendel notched an unearned run.
>> Freshman INF
Olivia Rivas reached on first from a fielding error, advancing Johnson to home for an unearned run.Â
GAME TWO
Coming off a game one loss against UTSA, the Islanders dropped their closing competition of the day against Missouri State, falling by a final 4-1 margin. The Lady Bears hit their offensive stride early in the first inning, as they were able to notch a single unearned run. Keeping the Blue & Green from constructing any form of offensive streak, Missouri State's defense contained the Islanders and were able to extend their lead to four runs early in the third inning. A&M-Corpus Christi was dedicated on shifting the momentum of the game, scoring fellow Islander
Keagan Helson after freshman INF
Ashleigh Sgambelluri singled to shortstop late in the third frame. Making the effort in transitioning this streak into the fourth inning, Missouri State stayed composed defensively and shutout the Blue & Green for the final three frames to seal the 4-1 victory.
KEY INNINGS
Bottom | 3rd
>> Freshman INF
Ashleigh Sgambelluri singled to shortstop, scoring in
Keagan Helson for an RBI.
COMING UP NEXT
The Islanders will head into their second day of the Lion Classic in yet-another doubleheader competition against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Southeastern Louisiana. The first game slates off at 11 a.m. and the second competition begins at 1:30 p.m.
STAY SOCIAL
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-- Go Islanders --
