HOUSTON, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team used a fast start and another strong showing in the circle to secure a 6-2 victory over Houston Christian on Saturday, clinching the conference series at Husky Field.
After splitting Friday's doubleheader, the Islanders (10-22, 4-5 SLC) wasted little time taking control of the rubber match, scoring in each of the first three innings and never relinquishing the lead. The Islanders have now won back-to-back conference series, following last weekend's 2-1 series victory over East Texas A&M.
A&M-Corpus Christi jumped ahead in the opening frame behind aggressive baserunning and timely hitting.
Zoey Stewart led off with a triple and later came around to score, while
Skylar Heger delivered an RBI double and
Eva Gallegos added a run-scoring single to cap a three-run inning.
HCU answered with a two-run home run in the bottom half of the first to trim the deficit to 3-2, but the Islanders responded immediately. In the second inning,
Karisa Lopez came around to score on a fielder's choice to extend the lead, and A&M-Corpus Christi broke the game open in the third. With two on, Lopez delivered the biggest swing of the day, driving a double into the gap in left-center to bring home two runs and push the advantage to 6-2.
From there, the Islanders turned it over to their pitching staff. After
Mackenzie Durr allowed two runs in the first two innings,
Kendra Winfrey entered in relief and shut the door. The right-hander scattered three hits across five scoreless innings, working out of multiple baserunners while striking out four to earn the win and secure the series.
The Huskies threatened in the middle innings, putting runners aboard in the fourth and fifth, but the Islanders' defense turned two double plays and Winfrey stranded traffic to preserve the lead.
At the plate, Lopez paced the Islanders with a 2-for-3 performance, including a double and two RBIs, while Heger and Gallegos each added run-producing hits. Stewart set the tone at the top of the order with a triple, and
Jada Zepeda contributed an RBI while swiping two bases as part of an aggressive offensive effort.
With the win, the Islanders continue to build momentum in conference play, capturing their second straight series and improving their standing heading into next week when they return home to host Southeastern.
On deck:
Friday, March 27
4 p.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi vs. Southeastern (Game 1)
Saturday, March 28
12 p.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi vs. Southeastern (Game 2)
2 p.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi vs. Southeastern (Game 3)
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