CORPUS CHRISTI – South Dakota put together a five-run top of the third, and tacked on a run in the fourth en route to a 6-0 win over the Texas A&M - Corpus Christi softball team today on the final day of the Islanders Invitational at Chapman Field.
The Coyotes outhit the Islanders (0-9-1) 9-1 with sophomore Mackinzee Griebel picking up the Islanders' lone hit of the game in the fourth.
Katie Cochran went 2-for-3 to lead South Dakota (3-5-1), including a two-run home run in the third. Matley Jones went 2-for-4 and added a run and RBI.
After a scoreless first two innings, the Coyotes got on the board in the top of the third with five runs on six hits. Morgan Hancock led off the inning with a single to right field before Cochran hit a two-run home run over the left field wall. Yvon Minogue followed with a single through the right side before she advanced to second on a sacrifice ground out by Katie Dinning. With one out, Jones ripped a single to right field, and Allie Daly followed with a single to left field before advancing to second on the throw as Minogue crossed home plate. The Coyotes added two more runs with two outs after a ground out by Kayla Fields. Sydney Hancock hit a RBI single to left center to plate Jones before Shelby Keil reached on an Islanders' error and Daly came around to score. A&M - Corpus Christi pulled out of the inning as Griebel snagged a fly out in right field.
The Islanders posted their first hit of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Griebel opened the frame with a shot to left field and landed on second after a ground out by Liz Carter. However, a ground out by Mickayla Cochran left Griebel stranded at second.
With two outs, the Coyotes added a run in the top of the fourth on two hits to extend their lead to 6-0. Ater Minogue reached on a fielder's choice she scored on a RBI single to right center by Jones.
The Islanders left four runners on base in the game while the Coyotes stranded six.
Carter (0-6) suffered the loss for the Islanders in seven innings. The sophomore, who earned her fifth start this season and her 36th career start in the Islanders' circle, allowed nine hits, six runs, five of them earned, while walking one and striking out three Coyotes. Her 36 career starts ranks her ninth in the Islanders' record books.
Rachel Cue (3-3) earned the win for South Dakota. She allowed just one hit and four walks in seven innings.
The Islanders will now take a break from tournament play to face UTSA on Wednesday, Feb. 18, in San Antonio. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
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