CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader to McNeese on Saturday at Chapman Field, unable to hold early momentum in game one to fall 8-5 before and struggled to uphold an early start in game two in a 3-1 decision.
In the opener, the Islanders fell behind early but answered with a multi-run third inning before McNeese regained control late. In the back end of the doubleheader, A&M-Corpus Christi struck first for their first lead of the series but could not sustain the offense as McNeese used a mid-game surge to secure the sweep.
Game 2 // McNeese 8, A&M-Corpus Christi 5
McNeese jumped out quickly in the first, capitalizing on a leadoff baserunner and a two-run home run to take an early lead.
The Islanders responded in the third inning with their best stretch of the day.
Zoey Stewart ignited the rally with a single and a stolen base, while
Jada Zepeda followed with a base hit to put runners on the corners.
Mimi Thornton delivered an RBI single to bring in the first run, and after advancement on a wild pitch, another run crossed the plate.
Eva Gallegos added a productive groundout to drive in a third run, trimming the deficit.
Momentum shifted back to the top half of the third as McNeese strung together multiple hits and took advantage to plate several runs and reclaim control.
A&M-Corpus Christi continued to push. In the fifth,
Kayla Santiago delivered an RBI single to score a run after
Natalie Garcia entered as a pinch runner. In the sixth, the Islanders mounted another threat as
CJ Castilla and Stewart reached base and advanced into scoring position, eventually plating a run on aggressive baserunning.
Despite late opportunities, including multiple baserunners in the final innings, the Islanders were unable to complete the comeback.
Game 3 // McNeese 3, A&M-Corpus Christi 1
The Islanders struck first in the finale. Zepeda tripled down the right field line in the first inning and scored on another RBI single from Thornton.
Skylar Heger followed with a hit to keep the pressure on, and Gallegos advanced runners with a sacrifice bunt, but the inning ended with A&M-Corpus Christi holding a 1-0 lead.
McNeese responded in the fourth inning, taking advantage of traffic on the bases to score twice and move in front. The Islanders were held quiet through the middle innings, with the offense limited to scattered hits from Castilla and
Taylor Reyes.
In the sixth, A&M-Corpus Christi threatened again. Heger doubled to center and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by
Brooke Jones, but the rally stalled before a run could score.
The Islanders continued to battle late, putting runners on base, but were unable to break through as McNeese held on to complete the sweep.
Across the doubleheader, Thornton led the Islanders offensively with multiple base hits, including a run-scoring hit in each game. Zepeda provided a spark at the top of the lineup, highlighted by a triple, while
Zoey Stewart added key baserunning with stolen bases and runs scored.
Skylar Heger contributed with multiple hits, including a double in Game 2, and
Kayla Santiago added an RBI knock in the opener. In the circle,
Mackenzie Durr and
Holly Ayala combined to limit damage at times in Game 2, while
Josie Whitehead worked through early and middle-inning pressure in Game 1.
This series consisted of the first three games of a nine-game stretch in as many days as they will head to Nicholls for three games Tuesday and Wednesday before returning home April 17 and 18 to host Northwestern State for another trio of contests.
On deck:
Tuesday, April 14
4 p.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi at Nicholls (Game 1)
6 p.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi at Nicholls (Game 2)
Wednesday, April 15
11 a.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi at Nicholls (Game 3)
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