CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team followed a familiar script Sunday at Chapman Field: keep the game close, take advantage of mistakes and let
Primrose Aholelei do her thing. It's a recipe that worked yet again, as the Islanders scored three runs in the fourth inning and made it hold it up, beating Northwestern State 3-0 to win the series 2 games to 1.
The finale of the three-game Southland Conference series turned into a pitching duel between two of the best pitchers in the conference in Aholelei and NSU's Maggie Darr. It was rematch of Game 1, in which Aholelei and Islanders prevailed 6-2. Darr came back to get the save in Game 2, a game the Demons won 7-4.
With a heavy wind blowing in from center field, Aholelei faced just two batters over the minimum through the first five innings, while Darr allowed no hits and just one base runner (thanks to an error) through the first three innings. But then the fourth inning started.
With Aholelei continuing to keep the Demons scoreless, the Islanders (17-10 overall, 5-4 in the SLC) patiently waited for the bats to come alive. That patience paid off in the fourth as
Sidney Campion led off with a perfectly placed single up the middle to get the rally started. But Campion eventually was caught stealing after a fly out, giving the Islanders two outs, nobody on base and not much hope.
Not to be deterred,
Monee Montilla singled to right field after a 10-pitch battle with Darr,
Kimane Rogron walked on four pitches, and
Paolina Baez singled on a ball that traveled maybe five feet in front of home plate. With the bases loaded,
Crystal Davila hit a grounder to short, and the routine throw to first was wide, allowing pinch-runner Karissa Lopez to score the game's first run.
The bases remained loaded, bringing up pinch-hitter
Mimi Thornton. Thornton came to the plate with just eight at-bats on the season with two hits and two RBIs. Two pitches later, she had another hit and double the RBIs.
Thornton blooped a single just over the head of the shortstop and between the left and center fielders, driving in Rogron and Baez with what turned out to be the final two runs of the game.
"Honestly, whenever I get called on in those situations, I just get happy to be able to be there for my team, and I know they have the trust in me which lets me relax in the box," Thornton said. "Once I hit the ball, I had a feeling it was right in the hole of all three of the players on the other team, but when it did fall I felt that I had done my job for my team and helped out when I was needed."
Aholelei took care of the rest, though not without some anxious moments.
In the top of the sixth, NSU (14-20, 2-7) loaded the bases with just one out, but Aholelei got a popup to Baez at second and a line out to
Alina Jasso in left to end the threat. Then in the seventh, Aholelei walked the leadoff hitter, but she shut it down with her sixth strikeout and a pair of groundouts.
Aholelei allowed just four hits and three walks, picking up her conference-leading 11
th win, her 11
th complete game and her fourth shutout of the season. The Islanders had just five hits on the day, four of which came in the pivotal fourth inning.
"I think this weekend was truly needed and what truly represents us as a team and how resilient we are," Thornton said. "Even after getting swept last weekend, we came out and showed out."
TAMUCC (17-10, 5-4 SLC)
Saturday, March 23 – vs. Northwestern State, W (6-2)
Saturday, March 23 – vs. Northwestern State, L (7-4)
Sunday, March 24 – vs. Northwestern State, W (3-0)
On Deck: The Islanders will travel to Houston for a three-game conference series against Houston Christian. Games 1 and 2 will be at 4 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, and the finale will be at noon Friday, March 29.
Next Home Games: The Islanders begin a three-game SLC series against Southeastern, La, on Friday, April 5. The teams play a doubleheader at noon and 2 p.m., then play the finale at noon Saturday, April 6.
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
