THIBODAUX, La. – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team split a doubleheader with Nicholls on Tuesday at Swanner Field, bouncing back from a run-rule loss in the opener with a 3-2 victory in game two to even the series and set up the rubber match.
After being limited offensively in a 10-1 defeat in game one, the Islanders responded with timely hitting and a complete-game effort in the circle in the nightcap, erasing a late deficit to claim the conference win and shift momentum heading into the series finale.
Game 1 // Nicholls 10, A&M-Corpus Christi 1
The Islanders kept things quiet early before Nicholls broke through in the fourth inning. After three scoreless frames, the Colonels strung together five hits in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run double and an RBI triple, to take a 4-0 lead.
A&M-Corpus Christi threatened in the fifth, loading the bases on consecutive singles from
Eva Gallegos,
Kayla Santiago and
Karisa Lopez.
Taylor Reyes lifted a sacrifice fly to score the Islanders' lone run, trimming the deficit to 4-1.
Nicholls answered immediately in the bottom half, capitalizing on extra-base hits and a pair of home runs to plate six runs and end the game via run rule.
Game 2 // A&M-Corpus Christi 3, Nicholls 2
The nightcap developed into a pitchers' duel before Nicholls struck first in the fifth. A two-out RBI single followed by an Islanders error allowed two runs to score, putting them behind 2-0.
The Islanders responded in the sixth with their most complete offensive inning of the day.
Mimi Thornton ignited the rally with a single, and
Skylar Heger followed with a double to put runners in scoring position. Lopez delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit in half, and Santiago tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Moments later,
Erynne Castillo came through with a clutch RBI single to right center, giving the Islanders a 3-2 lead.
With the lead in hand, A&M-Corpus Christi shut the door. Nicholls went quietly over the final two innings, as the Islanders defense and pitching held firm to secure the comeback win and even the series.
Lopez led the Islanders offensively across the doubleheader, recording hits in both games and driving in a crucial run in the game-two rally.
Erynne Castillo delivered the go-ahead RBI in the sixth inning of the nightcap, while Heger added a double to spark the Islanders.
In the circle,
Kendra Winfrey tossed a complete game in the second contest, allowing just two runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out four to earn the win.
Despite the setback in game one, the Islanders showed resilience, regrouping quickly to earn the split and carry momentum into Wednesday's decisive game.
On deck:
Wednesday, April 15
11 a.m. – Game 3
Stats
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