Softball Splits Day One of Scrap Yard Blizzard Challenge

CONROE, Texas – After a tough 11-1 defeat to 11th-ranked Oklahoma State, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball program bounced back to beat Tarleton State 13-3 on opening day Saturday at the Scrap Yard Sports Complex.
 
Over the two games for A&M-Corpus Christi (1-1), sophomore Sammi Thomas, an SLC Preseason All-Conference Second-Team selection, led the way with a 3-for-6 day at the plate. She registered a single, double, homer, four RBIs and two runs scored.
 
Sophomore Ashleigh Sgambelluri also had a big day going 2-for-4 with two walks and a pair of runs scored. Junior Tiler Noyola posted a .500 on-base percentage after finishing 3-for-7 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored.
 
In game one, the Islanders hung tough with OSU (3-0) early on. They trailed 3-0 in the bottom of the second when they got on the board. An RBI single to left by Noyola plated junior Tiare Lee, who reached on an error and got to third after a walk and a sacrifice bunt.
 
It wasn't until the fifth inning when OSU pulled away. It plated seven runs, including a grand slam by Karli Petty.
 
Sophomore Jenika Lombrana got the opening day nod in the circle and lasted 4.1 innings. Freshman Megan Depew recorded the final two outs in relief.
 
Game two started slow for A&M-Corpus Christi, but quickly turned into a lopsided affair. The Islanders trailed 2-0 when the bats erupted for eight runs in the fourth and five more in the fifth to apply the mercy rule.
 
A double by Thomas tied the game 2-2 in the fourth and A&M-Corpus Christi took the lead 4-2 on a fielding error. A two RBI single by sophomore Alyssa Escamilla extended the advantage to 6-2, and a two RBI double by Senior Skye Koehl made it an 8-2 game.
 
After Tarleton (0-2) got one back in the bottom of the fourth, the Islanders put the game out of reach with a two-run bomb by Thomas in the fifth. A&M-Corpus Christi tacked on insurance runs with an RBI double by sophomore Pal Egan, who also came around to score after an error.
 
Sophomore Beatriz Lara pitched a complete-game and surrendered just one earned run to notch the win. She struck out five and had zero walks.
 
The Islanders will play two more games Sunday in the tournament. They'll begin with an 11 a.m. game against Wichita State before a 3:30 p.m. rematch with No. 11 OSU.
 
Stay Social
For more information on Islanders Softball, keep up with the team via their Facebook page (Islanders Softball) and follow the program on Twitter (@IslandersSball) and Instagram (islanderssball). 
 
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