Softball Splits Doubleheader with Baylor, Second Win Over Power-Five School

WACO, Texas - The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball program split a doubleheader matchup with Baylor on Saturday, topping the Bears 2-1 in game one and then dropping game two 5-3 at Getterman Stadium.

The win marked the program's second win over a power-five conference team this season. The Islanders previously beat Syracuse 3-2 in walk-off fashion with a homerun by freshman Jaquelin Garza.

Game one of the day featured freshman Denay Smith, who pitched her first complete game and got the win in the circle for the Islanders (10-12). Through seven innings, Smith held the Bears (11-6) to their lowest scoring game of the season at one run. She improved her ERA to a 4.20 and struck out four batters.

All of the action in game one came in the fifth inning which got started with a double to right center by sophomore Gabriella Torres. An RBI single by freshman Monee Montilla brought Torres in to get the Islanders on the board 1-0. With bases loaded, sophomore Sydney Hoyt didn't swing to get walked, bringing in A&M-Corpus Christi's second run of the game.
 

ISLANDERS SCORE!! Montilla brings in G. Torres to get the Islanders on the board!

Islanders 1, Baylor 0 - T5, 1 out#ShakasUp // #GoIslanders pic.twitter.com/Hab6gKOU1O
— Islanders Softball (@IslandersSball) March 5, 2022
 

Smith finished the last two innings without allowing another Baylor hit or run, giving the Islanders the 2-1 win.

Montilla had a big day as she got three hits, two RBIs and two runs, one of which came in the form of a homerun. She improved her batting average to a .286 and now has the second highest slugging percentage on the team at a .571.

In game two following Montilla's homer which tied the game 1-1, Baylor responded with another run in the bottom of the second to take the lead back 2-1. In the fifth, the Islanders scored Torres and junior Quinn De Avila to take the lead 3-2. Three runs by Baylor in the sixth switched the lead back and the game ended with the Bears getting the 5-3 win.

De Avila stepped in big with her second and third starts of the season. She tallied a run in each game against the Bears and had a total of four putouts and eight assists fielding.

Junior Pal Egan is on a 12-game streak of reaching base, the longest on the team. She leads the team across the board with a .375 batting average, 20 runs, 24 hits and 14 RBIs.

Nationally, Egan is ranked #1 in doubles, #18 in doubles per game and #20 for total bases. As a team, the Islanders are ranked #19 in the nation for doubles per game while Hoyt is ranked #43 for walks per game.

A&M-Corpus Christi will have a small break before heading to Lubbock to compete in the Texas Tech Tournament, the program's fourth tournament of the season. The Islanders with take on Tulsa and Texas Tech each twice beginning on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.

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). 
 
#ShakasUp