HOBBS, N.M. – The Wildcats of Louisiana Christian University split their conference doubleheader Friday at the University of the Southwest, winning the opener 4-3 before the host Mustangs took game two 3-1.
 
The split kept the Wildcats (16-18) at .500 in Red River Athletic Conference play with an 8-8 league record.
 
Kayla Dauthier's two-RBI single in the top of the sixth inning of game one ended up being the game-winner as the Wildcats held off a late rally from the Mustangs. LCU scored runs on wild pitches in the fifth and sixth innings before Dauthier singled home Emma Hunt and Olivia Coaker, stretching the visitors' lead to 4-0.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, the Mustangs loaded the bases and got a run home on Felicity Villanueva's RBI single but were denied the tying run when centerfielder Jaycee Stott's throw to catcher Jordan Dauthier was on target. The younger Dauthier tagged Lia Gutierrez for the second out.
 
Moments later, Arlee Darbonne induced a popout to end the game and pick up the complete-game victory in the pitcher's circle. She struck out two batters and issued only one walk.
 
In game two, Bella Houck's RBI triple in the first inning to score Desiree Squires gave the 'Cats their only run and one of two hits in the game.
 
Southwest (8-19, 3-11 RRAC) tied game two in the fourth inning and got the game-winning runs on a two-RBI single from Xyla Madry with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
 
NEXT UP: 
The Wildcats return to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for a non-conference doubleheader against Arlington Baptist on Saturday. First pitch at the Clark Stadium Softball Complex in Fort Worth is scheduled for 1 p.m.

– LCU –