LUBBOCK, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team saw its back come alive in a big way Saturday morning, erupting for a nine-run third inning to roll to a 13-5 victory over Abilene Christian to open a two-game split day on day two of the Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic.
A&M-Corpus Christi had the dominant offensive showing in the day's opener but later fell to No. 2 Texas Tech. Despite the setback against one of the nation's top teams, the morning offensive explosion set the tone for a competitive day in Lubbock.
After a scoreless first two frames, the Islanders (4-14) broke the game open in the top of the third. With one out,
Zoey Stewart singled and moved into scoring position on a passed ball.
Jada Zepeda followed with a single and promptly stole second, allowing Stewart to score on the throw for a 1-0 lead.
The momentum only built from there.
Erynne Castillo's infield single and
Mimi Thornton's RBI knock made it 2-0 before
Skylar Heger loaded the bases with a single.
Karisa Lopez delivered the decisive blow, drilling a two-run double to center to stretch the lead to 4-0.
After a pitching change, the Islanders kept pouring it on.
Taylor Reyes added an RBI single, and
Jolie Elizalde reached on an error that brought another run home. Stewart drew a walk and stole second before Zepeda capped the inning with a two-run double to left, pushing the advantage to 9-0.
Abilene Christian answered with a solo home run in the bottom half, but the Islanders responded again in the fourth. Stewart ripped a two-run double to left-center, and Elizalde's sacrifice bunt plated another to extend the margin to 12-1.
In the fifth, Heger reached on an error and later scored to make it 13-2. The Wildcats mounted a late push, highlighted by a three-run homer, but
Holly Ayala closed the door in relief to secure the 13-5 final.
Kendra Winfrey (3-5) earned the win, allowing four runs on four hits over four innings with two strikeouts. Ayala tossed the final inning to finish it off.
Offensively, the Islanders pounded out 13 hits. Stewart went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored, while Zepeda finished 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two stolen bases. Lopez added a double and two RBIs, Reyes tallied two hits and an RBI, and Heger chipped in two hits and two runs scored as eight of the nine starters reached base.
On deck:
Sunday, March 1
9:30 a.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi vs. Detroit Mercy
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11:30 a.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi vs. Texas Tech
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