LUBBOCK, Texas — The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team opened Sunday's doubleheader with an aggressive offensive performance before running into one of the nation's top programs later, splitting contests with an 8-4 victory over Detroit Mercy followed by a 24-1 loss to No. 2 Texas Tech.
The Islanders showcased timely hitting, speed on the bases and steady pitching in the opener, building momentum early and maintaining control throughout before closing the weekend against a nationally ranked Red Raiders squad.
A&M-Corpus Christi set the tone in game one by manufacturing offense and capitalizing on opportunities, breaking a scoreless tie in the second inning. After
Kayla Santiago worked a walk,
Taylor Reyes drove a double into left field to bring home the game's first run and give the Islanders a 1-0 lead.
The Islanders added pressure again in the third.
Zoey Stewart singled and stole second before advancing into scoring position, later crossing the plate on
Skylar Heger's sacrifice fly. Moments later, aggressive baserunning paid off as
Erynne Castillo reached on an error and
Mimi Thornton raced home to extend the advantage to 3-0.
Detroit Mercy answered with a run in the bottom half, but A&M-Corpus Christi delivered its decisive surge in the fourth inning.
Karisa Lopez and Santiago opened the frame with back-to-back singles before Stewart cleared the bases with a towering double to left-center, driving in three runs and pushing the Islanders' lead to 6-1.
The Islanders continued to add insurance behind disciplined at-bats. Reyes delivered another RBI double in the sixth to score Santiago, and in the seventh, Santiago drew a bases-loaded walk to plate Thornton and make it 8-1.
Detroit Mercy mounted a late rally in the seventh, loading the bases and scoring three runs, but
Holly Ayala entered in relief to record the final out and secure the win.
Kendra Winfrey earned the victory after working 6.1 innings in the circle, limiting damage despite traffic on the bases while keeping Detroit Mercy from generating sustained momentum.
Stewart led the Islanders offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and two stolen bases. Reyes added two doubles and two RBIs, while Santiago scored three times and reached base four times. Lopez contributed a hit and run scored as A&M-Corpus Christi turned six hits and patient plate appearances into eight runs.
Game two saw the Islanders strike first against powerhouse Texas Tech. Stewart opened the game with a walk and moved into scoring position before
Skylar Heger lined an RBI single up the middle to give A&M-Corpus Christi an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
Texas Tech responded with a powerful offensive run in the bottom half that quickly shifted momentum. The Red Raiders followed with additional scoring bursts in the second inning to pull away.
On deck:
Wednesday, March 4
6 p.m. – at UTSA
Friday, March 6
4 p.m. – at UIW
Saturday, March 7
12 p.m. (DH) – at UIW
#ShakasUp
