TEXARKANA, Texas – The Louisiana Christian University softball team battled a top-15 ranked team to the limit on the road, but the #14 Texas A&M – Texarkana Eagles were able to squeak past the Wildcats in a pair of one-run games, 3-2 and 4-3, Tuesday afternoon at Bramlett Field.
Game 1 – Louisiana Christian 2, Texas A&M – Texarkana 3
TAMUT opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning, but it didn't take the Wildcats long to respond as
Bella Houck led off the top of the fourth inning with a solo shot to get LCU back within 2-1. The Eagles got that run back in the bottom half of the fourth as a trio of two-out base hits scored a run to make it 3-1 TAMUT after four complete.
LCU used an extra chance due to an error to get another run on the board.
Emma Hunt singled with one out to get aboard. She stole second, and then
Lexie Marks rolled a ball to second base which was bungled, allowing Hunt to race around third and score to cut the deficit to 3-2.
The Wildcats would get two runners on with one out in the sixth inning, looking to tie or even take the lead, but a pair of strikeouts ended the inning with no runs scored. LCU got the Eagles in order in the bottom of the sixth to give themselves a chance in the seventh, but the Wildcats were retired in order to end the game.
Bella Houck hit her third home run of the season, her lone hit in a one-for-three game at the plate with the home run accounting for her RBI and run scored.
Emma Hunt went one-for-two with a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored.
Bailey McMillian (6-5) threw all seven innings and gave up nine hits and three runs, two earned, didn't walk any batters, and struck out four.
Game 2 – Louisiana Christian 3, Texas A&M – Texarkana 4
LCU threw out a runner trying to score from second on a base hit to left in the bottom of the first inning, which seemed set to get the Wildcats out of some early trouble. But an error allowed the Eagles to get a run across in the frame to take the early 1-0 lead after the first inning.
But the Wildcat bats started to come alive.
Kayla Dauthier led off the second inning with a double, and two batters later,
Olivia Coaker traded places with her by doubling as well to tie the score at 1-1.
LCU put the upset bid into overdrive in the fourth inning, plating two runs with two outs. With
Bella Houck on third and two away,
Olivia Coaker dropped a base hit into right field, scoring Houck, to give the Wildcats the lead.
BreAnna Corkern followed with a double to the left-center gap, scoring Coaker to give the Wildcats a 3-1 advantage.
That lead held all the way to the bottom of the seventh inning and were one out away from their second win over a ranked team this season, but the Eagles came through with three straight RBI base hits to steal the win.
Olivia Coaker led the offense, going two-for-three with a double, two RBI, and a run scored.
Bella Houck also went two-for-three at the plate in the contest.
BreAnna Corkern went one-for-two with a double and a RBI.
Kayla Dauthier was also one-for-two with a double and a run scored.
Olivia Coaker (1-1) threw a complete game, allowing nine hits and four runs, three earned, with no walks and three strikeouts in the 6.2 innings of work.
The Wildcats (18-13, 7-5 RRAC) hope home-cooking helps get the team back in the win column on Saturday when the University of the Southwest comes to Pineville for two games. First pitch of the doubleheader against the Mustangs (6-19, 2-8 RRAC) is set for 11:00 A.M. at Wildcat Park.
