Comets Take Series Opener 5-3 over Wildcats

3/5/2018 9:22:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

Box Score

Fresh off a big three-game sweep in their American Southwest Conference opening weekend, the Louisiana College softball team traveled to the University of Texas at Dallas to begin another three game series on Monday night. The Wildcats could not make it four in a row as UTD scored in each of the first three innings and held on late for the 5-3 victory in the series opener. The team will play a noon doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon in Richardson, Texas to finish the conference set.

The Comets played their typical small ball to produce the game's first run in the bottom of the first inning. A bunt single, a steal, and a sacrifice put a runner at third with one out. A base hit to center brought her in and UTD took the 1-0 lead just four batters into the game. They added to their lead in the second when the leadoff batter drew a walk then scored on a triple down the right field line. Another RBI single by the next batter made it 3-0 after two innings of play.

The Wildcats found themselves down 4-0 going into the top of the fifth inning, after UTD added another run on an RBI single in the third, but were finally able to produce multiple hits in an inning to get on the scoreboard. A leadoff double by Taylor Hammock set the stage for Kaitlyn Moore to come in as a pinch-hitter and deliver a double of her own to score the Wildcats first run of the game. A walk to the next batter, Briley Johnston, loaded the bases for LC with just one out in the inning. The Wildcats could not find the key hit they needed however as the next two batters went down swinging, leaving the bases full of Cats and the score at 4-1.

UTD added one more insurance run to their total on a solo homerun in the bottom of the sixth the Wildcats were not done with the drama in the game. Two walks and a base hit loaded the bases for the Wildcats in the top of the final inning, bringing the potential tying run to the plate. Sami Walters laid down a great bunt, but an exceptional play by the pitcher just got the force out at home, but the bases remained loaded for clean-up hitter Mattie Stine.

Stine grounded the ball to the right of the second baseman who delivered a low throw to second just getting Walters on the force play, but the Wildcats aggressive base running brought two runs in on the play making the score 5-3. Bria White, still representing the game-tying run, fouled out down the right field line on the first pitch of the at-bat ending the Wildcats come back chance.

Savannah Settle (1-3) suffered another tough loss on the year, going 5.0 innings giving up five runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Lucy Lewis pitched the final innings giving up one hit with two strikeouts. Both Bria White and Taylor Hammock were 2-for-3 in the game while Mattie Stine was 0-for-4 but had two RBI's. Kaitlyn Moore was 1-for-1 with an RBI double.

The Wildcats and Comets finish their three game series with a doubleheader beginning at 12pm in Richardson, Texas. Stay connected to Louisiana College softball by following @LC_sftball on Twitter or liking Louisiana College softball on Facebook. For general athletics news follow @LC_Wildcats on Twitter or like Louisiana College Wildcats on Facebook.

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