'Roo Softball Drops Two to Open SCAC Play

LONGVIEW, Texas - The Austin College softball team was edged twice by LeTourneau on Thursday as both teams opened up Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play, with the YellowJackets winning game one 6-5 before handing the 'Roos another one-run loss with a 4-3 final score in game two. The 'Roos are now 0-4 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Austin College jumped out to an immediate lead in the top of the first inning. Tori Fowler and Jillian Kelly both drew walks and utilized their speed to steal bases, with Fowler coming home on an error. Reagan Brinkley then delivered a two-out RBI single down the left field line to stake the 'Roos to a 2-0 advantage.

After LeTourneau answered with a run in the bottom half, the YellowJackets used six hits in the second frame, including a two-RBI single from Kylee Davis, to put up a five-spot and take a 6-2 lead. The Austin College offense began to chip away in the third inning when Lauren Trott launched a solo home run over the left field wall. In the fourth, Ashlynn Brothers singled and later scored on an RBI base hit from Cheyenne Fields to cut the deficit to 6-4.

The 'Roos continued to threaten late, loading the bases in the seventh inning. Kelly led off with a single, followed by a base hit from Brinkley. With one out, Trott drove home Kelly with an RBI single to bring Austin College within one run. However, the rally was cut short when a line drive by Brothers resulted in a game-ending double play.

Trott finished the day 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a home run, while Brinkley also collected two hits and an RBI. Fields contributed a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Fowler was a force on the basepaths, finishing the game with three stolen bases. McGowan took the loss for Austin College, while Brooke Bubert earned the win for LeTourneau. Bree Brege picked up the save after navigating the final three innings.

Austin College struck first again in game two, getting on the board in the top of the second. Trott led off the frame with a double down the left-field line and later crossed the plate on an RBI groundout by Brothers to give the 'Roos a 1-0 lead. The 'Roos extended their advantage to 2-0 in the fourth inning when Brothers reached on a bunt single, stole second, and scored following an error by the LeTourneau defense.

LeTourneau began its comeback in the bottom of the fourth as Rylie Shipp doubled and was driven home by a Davis double to center field. The YellowJackets drew even in the fifth when Maddie Flanery reached on a bunt single and scored on a Taylor Gouge RBI single down the right-field line.

The decisive blow came in the bottom of the sixth. Natalie Noriega led off with a triple down the left-field line, and Flanery delivered an RBI single to take the lead. Flanery then stole second and third before scoring an insurance run on a sacrifice fly by Jenna Carter to make it 4-2. The 'Roos refused to go quietly in their final at-bat. Brothers ignited the rally with a one-out single, and pinch-hitter Emma Freiermuht delivered a two-out RBI single to right-center to bring the score to 4-3. However, a fielder's choice in the next at-bat ended the threat and the game.

Trott led the Austin College offense with a 2-for-3 performance including a double, while Brothers finished 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Hankins took the loss, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing three earned runs on 10 hits. Laynie Davis earned the complete-game victory for LeTourneau, striking out five and allowing just two earned runs.

Austin College and LeTourneau will wrap up their series on Friday at 1:00 p.m. with a single game in Longview.