CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Despite threatening a late rally in the final frame, the Texas A&M–Corpus Christi softball team dropped the series finale to East Texas A&M, 4-1, on Saturday afternoon at Chapman Field.
The Islanders finished the three-game set with 19 hits across the weekend and strong pitching performances in the first two games, earning their first conference series victory under head coach Mark Montgomery despite a late push in the finale.
Today, the offensive side just couldn't convert on opportunities reminiscent of Friday's doubleheader where the scoring nearly all came from the Islanders. The Islanders did see bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh with the go-ahead run at the plate, but the Lions' pitching limited the home team to just the one run on the day to salvage the series.
East Texas A&M struck early in the game, taking advantage of a second-inning rally to build a lead. After the first out of the frame, a throwing error allowed the Lions to reach base before they hit a double to right field. The play was compounded by another throwing error that allowed the first score. Moments later, East Texas A&M scored three more runs and extended the advantage to 4-0.
The Islanders turned to
Holly Ayala out of the bullpen following the rally, and the right-hander settled the game down. Ayala tossed the final 5.2 innings, allowing just two hits while keeping East Texas A&M off the scoreboard the rest of the way and giving the Islanders a chance to climb back into the game.
A&M–Corpus Christi broke through in the third inning.
Zoey Stewart worked a walk to reach base before
Mimi Thornton lined a single down the right-field line to move Stewart into scoring position. After
Skylar Heger drew a walk to load the bases,
Kayla Santiago lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that brought Stewart home and cut the deficit to 4-1.
The Islanders continued to threaten throughout the afternoon but were unable to generate another run against East Texas A&M starter Madison Kloepper, who scattered six hits across a complete-game effort.
A&M-Corpus Christi attempted to mount a final rally in the bottom of the seventh.
Taylor Reyes opened the inning with a single down the left-field line before
Jada Zepeda drew a walk to put two runners aboard with two outs. Thornton then delivered an infield single to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate, but the game ended there at the hands of Kloepper.
The Islanders finished with six hits in the finale. Thornton led the offense with a 2-for-4 performance, while Santiago recorded an RBI on her sacrifice fly and Reyes,
Karisa Lopez and
Erynne Castillo each added a hit. Stewart reached base twice, drawing a walk and being hit by a pitch while scoring the Islanders' lone run.
In the circle,
Kendra Winfrey took the loss after allowing four runs in the errant second inning. Ayala's strong relief outing kept the Islanders within striking distance the rest of the way.
Despite the setback, A&M–Corpus Christi secured the series win after taking the first two games Friday and will look to build on the momentum as Southland Conference play continues.
On deck:
Friday, March 20
4 p.m. - A&M-Corpus Christi at HCU (Game 1)
6 p.m. - A&M-Corpus Christi at HCU (Game 2)
Saturday, March 21
12 p.m. - A&M-Corpus Christi at HCU (Game 3)
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