PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana Christian University softball team pulled one step closer to confirming its spot in the postseason by coming alive in the second half to salvage a split of the doubleheader against Huston-Tillotson, dropping game one to the Rams, 3-2, before rallying to take the nightcap, 6-3, Friday afternoon at Wildcat Park.
 
Game 1 – Huston-Tillotson 3, Louisiana Christian 2
 
The Wildcats tried to turn an inning-ending double play in the top of the first inning, but the relay throw was thrown away, allowing a run to come home to give Huston-Tillotson a 1-0 lead. However, LCU would make up for it in the bottom half of the inning as Emma Hunt grounded to first and won the race to the bag to lead off with a base hit. She stole second, moved to third on a ground ball back to the circle, and scored on KayeLea Dearmon's double down the right field line to make it 1-1 when the inning ended.
 
It remained deadlocked until the fourth inning where LCU pulled ahead with a pair of big two out hits. With the bases empty and two out, Desiree Squires found the right-center gap and raced to second for a double. She was followed by Olivia Coaker, who also went to right-center to trade places with Squires and put the Wildcats up 2-1.
 
But that lead did not last long as HTU doubled with one out, sacrificed the runner to third, and got a bunt base hit inside the first base line to bring the run in and tie the score at 2-2. The Rams took the lead in the top of the seventh as a lead off base hit was moved to second and came home on a base hit that fell just inside the right field foul line. LCU could not put together a response in the bottom of the seventh and the Rams took game one.
 
Six different Wildcats had one hit apiece in the first game. KayeLea Dearmon was one-for-two with a walk, a double, and a RBI. Emma Hunt went one-for-three with a run score and a stolen base. Desiree Squires went one-for-three with a double and run scored. Olivia Coaker went one-for-three with a double and RBI. BreAnna Corkern went one-for-three with a double. Four of LCU's six base hits in the contest were doubles.
 
Miah Broussard (6-4) threw a complete game, allowing seven hits and three runs, two earned, with two walks and three strikeouts in her seven innings of work.
 
Game 2 – Huston-Tillotson 3, Louisiana Christian 6
 
LCU got the first two outs of game two quickly, but the Rams used a two-out rally to open the scoring, hitting back-to-back bloop singles followed by a two-RBI double to put HTU up 2-0 when the third out was recorded. But LCU had a big answer, taking advantage of a Ram error to start a big rally. With one out, a ground ball to third by Lexie Marks was fumbled, kicking off the rally. KayeLea Dearmon singled down the left field line and Kayla Dauthier drew a walk to load the bases. Desiree Squires came through as she found the left-center gap for a double that scored both Marks and Dearmon to tie the score. Olivia Coaker helped her own cause a bit next as she lifted the ball to right deep enough to let Kayla Dauthier tag up and score to give the Wildcats the lead at 3-2 when the inning ended.
 
That lead disappeared in the third inning as Huston-Tillotson tied the score by getting a single and RBI double, both with two outs, to even things up at 3-3.
 
However, this time it was the Wildcats that came through in the clutch, doing so by scoring three runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. With Lexie Marks standing on second base following a one out double down the line, Kayla Dauthier extended the inning by beating out the Ram first baseman in a race to the bag on a ground ball for a base hit, moving Marks to third. LCU took the lead on a wild pitch which allowed Marks to score and Dauthier to move to second base. Desiree Squires added two big insurance runs in one swing of the bat as she blasted a pitch over the wall in right-center for a two-run home run and a 6-3 Wildcats lead. Coaker and the LCU defense made it stand up as the next six Ram batters were all retired in order to secure the win.
 
Desiree Squires and Lexie Marks both went two-for-three at the plate in game two. Squires' two hits were a home run, her first of the season, and a double as she drove in four runs and scored once in the contest. Marks' two hits included a double and she scored twice. Kayla Dauthier went one-for-one, drew a pair a walks, and scored twice. KayeLea Dearmon went one-for-three and scored a run. Of LCU's 13 base hits in the two contests, seven went for extra bases as the Wildcats hit six doubles and a home run on the day.
 
Olivia Coaker (4-2), who had a RBI at the plate in the game, got the complete game win in the circle for the Wildcats. In her seven innings of work, she gave up six hits and three runs, all earned, walked one and struck out three in the win.
 
The Wildcats (25-19, 14-10 RRAC) play their final two home games of the season on Saturday as Houston-Victoria comes to Pineville for a pair of conference contests. First pitch of the Senior Day doubleheader against the Jaguars (24-11, 17-7 RRAC) is set for 12:00 P.M. at Wildcat Park.