LAS CRUCES, NM. – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team gritted out a close 4-3 decision over Montana Saturday afternoon before falling 13-3 to New Mexico State that night to conclude day two of the Troy Cox Classic.
The Islanders (4-5) have continued their trend of splitting a multiple-game day, this time topping Montana (2-7) and falling to New Mexico State (6-4) as they continue their way through the latter's tournament. The win over the Griz had been their second in a row after they topped Northern Colorado last night in a 12-9 decision.
A pair of Islanders came out of the day with multi-hit game performances, with
Ripley Welker going 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI in the win over Montana while
Crystal Davila went 2-for-2 at the plate against the Aggies to go along with a run and an RBI.
Kendra Winfrey threw in both games today, earning herself the win against Montana after throwing in relief for three innings.
Holly Ayala went 4.0 innings with the start against the Griz while
Malia Williams also saw time in the circle in the second game of the day.
Game 8 // A&M-Corpus Christi 4, Montana 3
Montana broke through early, plating two runners in the bottom of the first to put the Islanders in 2-0 hole. They would get one back in the next inning as
Skylar Heger drew the lead-off walk in the third before
Madysen Edwards replaced her on the base paths. She got into scoring position so that when
Karisa Lopez doubled to right center, she made her way home to get the Islanders on the board.
A&M-Corus Christi's breakthrough came in the fifth, however, as a lead-off base hit from
Dafne Mercado initiated an efficient offense that outing.
Isabella Hune pinch ran for her and while
Paolina Baez reached on the fielder's choice, an error from the Montana second baseman had two Islanders on with no outs.
The pair would advance during the next at-bat, and
Ripley Welker sent them home on a double to left for the 3-2 lead. Another errant throw from the Griz helped Welker round home for what ended up being game-winning score.
Kendray Winfrey was credited with the win in the circle, her first of the year. She pitched the last three innings of the contest, including posting the three-up, three-down in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win.
Game 9 // A&M-Corpus Christi, New Mexico State
Monee Montilla sent one up the middle in her first at-bat of the second game and made her way to third following Welker's two-base hit to left. Monee then scored one of her two runs of the night on the squeeze play when
Crystal Davila laid down the sac bunt to give the Islanders an early 1-0 advantage.
However, New Mexico State found an early rhythm and racked up five runs in their first offensive outing to set a tone for the rest of the game as they failed to not score in any of the innings.
The Islanders would attempt to respond in the third as Monee drew a walk before taking advantage of New Mexico State's fielding mistakes to round home on a throwing error for her second run of the day. Davila then doubled down the left field line to place herself in scoring position and would make her way back to home plate off another errant throw from the Aggies. It chipped into the deficit at 7-3, but another six runs from the home squad called game after five innings.
On deck:
The Islanders will wrap up the weekend tournament across state lines tomorrow when they rematch the Aggies at 12:30 p.m. before hosting UTSA for their home opener on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Chapman Field.
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