Defensive Miscues Doom 'Roo Softball

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College softball team showed an early offensive spark but ultimately fell to Centenary College 18-4 in a five-inning conference matchup on Friday night at Sherman High, as defensive miscues and wind gusts that reached up to 35 miles-per-hour hindered the 'Roos throughout game one of this three-game Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference set.

The 'Roos moved to 4-16 overall and 4-14 in conference play, while the visiting Ladies improved to 13-11 overall and 11-5 in the league.

After Centenary put up a quick five runs in the top of the first inning, Austin College immediately answered with three runs in the bottom half of the frame to keep things close. Emma Freiermuht set the tone for the 'Roos with a leadoff double down the left-field line and later crossed the plate on a wild pitch. Lauren Trott kept the rally going by ripping an RBI double to center field to bring home Reagan Brinkley, who had drawn a walk. Starting pitcher Zoey Harrell capped the inning's scoring by helping her own cause with an RBI single to shortstop, driving Trott home and cutting the deficit to 5-3.

The momentum shifted heavily back to the visitors in the second inning, however, as the Ladies erupted for 10 runs to put the game out of reach. Hilary Pillaro delivered the biggest blow of the frame with a bases-clearing, three-run triple to center field, and Abigail Hodgson added a two-run single.

Austin College continued to battle and manufactured a run in the fourth inning. Tori Fowler sparked the offense with a single up the middle, stole second, and advanced to third on a well-executed sacrifice bunt by Cassidy Cantera. Skyler Vickers then plated Fowler with an RBI groundout to the right side.

Offensively for the 'Roos, Trott finished 1-for-3 with an RBI double and a run scored, while Freiermuht went 1-for-3 with a double and a run. Fowler reached base in both of her plate appearances, finishing 1-for-1 with a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored. Jadyn Myers also contributed a base hit in the fifth inning. In the circle, McKinley Hankins provided four innings of relief for Harrell, who took the loss.

For Centenary, Hodgson led the way by going 2-for-3 with four RBI and two runs scored. Pillaro finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and three runs, while Noelle Sandmann and Laine Sullivan collected three hits apiece. Haydyn Schexnayder earned the win in relief, holding the 'Roos to one run over the final three innings.

The 'Roos and the Ladies will finish this conference series with a doubleheader starting tomorrow at noon.