Islanders split doubleheader on Day Two at Ragin' Cajun Invitational

Lafayette, La. -- The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi softball program picked up its first win of the 2019 season in the opener of Saturday afternoon's doubleheader, defeating Incarnate Word 6-2 before dropping a 21-0 game to host Louisiana-Lafayette later in the day. 

GAME ONE
The Islanders came out strong in the beginning of game one against their fellow Southland Conference opponent, opening the first inning with a home run from freshman Kennedy Johnson to grant an early 3-0 advantage. Keagan Helson started off the 5th inning with a home run over the left field wall, extending the lead to 4-0. The last two runs for the Islanders came from the 6th inning while UIW picked up one in each the 5th and 7th frames.

KEY INNINGS
Bottom of the 1st
>> Emily Vela singled through the right side to start off the inning
>> Sammi Thomas reached on a fielding error by the short stop, advancing Vela to second
>> With two outs, Kennedy Johnson homered, scoring both Vela and Thomas for a triple RBI
>> The Islanders ended the inning with three runs, two hits and one left on base

Bottom of the 5th
>> To start off, Keagan Helson hit a home run over the left field fence, pushing the the Islanders' lead to 4-0

Bottom of the 6th
>> Emilee Baker got hit by the pitch to get on first before Ashley Moss came in to pinch run
>> Moss managed to steal second
>> Samantha Burke walked after hitting four foul balls
>> With two outs, Keagan Helson singled to left center, scoring Moss and Burke

GAME TWO
After the win early Saturday, the Blue & Green faced tough competition in the tournament host, Louisiana-Lafayette. The Islanders eventually fell 21-0 in five innings. 

AT THE PLATE
Against the Cardinals, the Islanders finished the game with six runs, six hits and a pair of home runs. Freshman Kennedy Johnson wrapped up the first game with a .545 batting average after going 2-for-3 from the box. Keagan Helson hit the second home run of the game during the bottom of the fifth when she started off the lineup while Emily Vela went 2-for-4 at the top of the Islanders' lineup, scoring one run. 

IN THE CIRCLE 
Kandace Johnson started off in the circle for the Islanders in the first game, throwing five innings before Ashley Smith came in for relief. Johnson ended the game with two strikeouts and one walk while Smith closed out the win with one strikeout. In the second game, Alexi Ruel, Alexis Tovar and Ashley Smith all threw from the mound for the Blue & Green against the Ragin' Cajuns. They had a combined six walks and one strikeout while giving up three home runs. 

COMING UP NEXT
For the final game of the Ragin' Cajun Invitational in Lafayette, La., the Blue & Green will face the University of California on Sunday, February 9th, at 1:00 p.m.

STAY SOCIAL
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