MIAMI, Fla. – The first victory of the Mark Montgomery era came in walk off fashion with a 5-4 electric win over Stony Brook to highlight a split final day of the FIU Invitational after finishing with a loss to Louisville Saturday.
The Islanders (1-4) opened the day by rallying past Stony Brook 5-4 for the first victory under Montgomery, then battled late before falling 13–5 to Louisville in the finale to split the final day of the weekend.
Across the doubleheader, A&M–Corpus Christi received key contributions from several spots in the lineup.
Erynne Castillo led the offense on the day, going 3-for-6 with four RBIs, including a two-run double against Louisville.
Skylar Heger finished a perfect 2-for-2 with four RBIs, delivering the walk-off hit in the opener.
Mimi Thornton drove in three runs and reached base five times, while
Zoey Stewart scored twice and drew four walks.
In the circle,
Kendra Winfrey anchored the day with a complete-game win in the opener, striking out eight including two in the top of the seventh to help set up the walk-off and secure Montgomery's first win of the year as well.
"We found a way to win in the first game, but too many mistakes in game two cost us," said Montgomery.
Game 1: A&M–Corpus Christi 5, Stony Brook 4
The Islanders capped a late rally in the opener, scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh to stun Stony Brook and earn their first win of the season.
Trailing 4–2 entering the final inning, the Islanders opened the frame with a walk and a fielder's choice to put immediate pressure on the Seawolves. With the bases loaded, Thornton worked a walk to force in a run and pull the Islanders within one.
Heger entered on a timely pinch hit and gave the decisive swing, lining a two-run single up the middle to score the tying and go-ahead runs to seal the comeback.
The Islanders had taken a brief lead earlier in the game in the third inning when Thornton's RBI single brought home two runs. Stony Brook answered with single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings before the Islanders' late surge.
Winfrey went the distance for A&M–Corpus Christi, allowing four runs while working out of multiple jams and retiring the final batter to set up the walk-off opportunity.
Game 2: Louisville 13, A&M–Corpus Christi 5
Immediately heading into the backend of a true doubleheader, the Islanders felt Louisville build an early lead and battled within two late before the Cardinals pulled away.
The Cardinals scored two runs in the first inning and added a four-run fourth to take control. A&M–Corpus Christi responded with its most productive inning in the sixth. After a leadoff walk and stolen base, the Islanders capitalized on a throwing error to score their first run. Castillo followed with a two-run double down the right-field line, and two more runs crossed on another Louisville error as A&M–Corpus Christi trimmed the deficit to 7–5.
Louisville answered with six runs in the bottom of the inning to put the game out of reach.
The split closed the Islanders' appearance at the FIU Tournament and provided a positive step forward early in the Montgomery era, with the program's first win of the season.
On Deck:
Ragin' Cajuns Invitational
Feb. 13-Feb. 15
Lafayette, LA
#ShakasUp
