Softball drops pair in season-opening doubleheader

LAFAYETTE, La. -- Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Softball kicked off their 2019 season against Fordham University and University of Louisnana at Lafayette in a doubleheader competition at the Ragin' Cajun Invitational on Feb. 8. The Islanders had a tough debut on Friday, falling 10-2 to the Rams and 15-0 to the hosting Ragin' Cajuns.

GAME ONE
Fordham University hit their offensive stride early as catcher Molly Roark sent a homerun to center field to bring in a pair of runs at the start of the first inning, and Maria Trivelpiece notched an unearned run early in the third. Trailing the Rams 3-0 in the bottom of the third, the Islanders began to work a rally as freshman INF/OF Kennedy Johnson doubled to center field, bringing in fellow freshman Ashleigh Sgambelluri and junior Emily Vela for a double RBI. After scoring in two of the first three frames, Fordham was able to build its momentum in the fourth inning behind an additional six runs, sealing a 10-2 win over the Blue & Green.

KEY INNINGS
Bottom | 3rd
>> Junior Utility Emily Vela got on base from a single up the middle field.
>> Freshman INF Ashleigh Sgambelluri was walked to first, advancing Emily Vela to second.
>> Sgambelluri and Vela stole second and third, while Sammi Thomas was at the plate.
>> Freshman INF Kennedy Johnson doubled to center field, bringing in Sgambelluri and Vela for a double RBI.

GAME TWO
Coming off a game one loss against Fordham University, the Islanders dropped their closing competition against the hosting University of Louisiana-Lafayette 15-0. With the first inning remaining scoreless for both of the respected teams, the Ragin' Cajuns were able to get on the board first from a homerun given by right fielder Sarah Hudek and catcher Julie Rawls notched an unearned run late in the second inning. Trailing the hosts by three runs, the Blue & Green were dedicated on shifting the momentum of the game but held by Lafayette's defensive team for the remaining two frames. The Ragin' Cajuns were able to pull away the doubleheader closer from the Islanders, tallying a total of 13 runs in the final innings.

AT THE PLATE
>> The freshman group upheld the Islanders batting squad on Friday, as INF Ashleigh Sgambelluri lead the Islanders batting squad with a 0.500 BA, .600 OB percentage and a .500 SLG percentage while INF/OF Kennedy Johnson attained a 0.400 BA, .600 SLG percentage and a .400 OB percentage against the opposing teams.
>> Sgambelluri and junior utility Emily Vela registered two total runs for the Blue & Green in the doubleheader opener against both Fordham and Louisiana-Lafayette.

IN THE CIRCLE
>> Opening her first two competitions as an Islander, Sophomore Alexis Ruel pitched the most innings (3) for the Blue and Green on Friday's doubleheader competition, tallying a single strike out.
>> Sophomore Alexis Tovar appeared in both games, notching a single strikeout and allowing only two runs while in the circle.

COMING UP NEXT
The Islanders will head into their second day of the Ragin' Cajun Invitational in yet-another doubleheader competition against the University of the Incarnate Word and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The first game slates off at 2 p.m., and the second competition begins at 4:30 p.m.

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