PORTLAND, Ore. – A late rally by Concordia in the second game of the doubleheader spoiled the Saints' attempt at a sweep (5-2, and 6-2) of the Cavaliers on Sunday.
A four run fourth inning for the Saints (8-11, 3-5) was enough run support for SMU's pitching staff, as the Saints cruised to a 5-2 victory in the first game. After falling behind early, the Saints rallied to tie the game; however, Concordia (13-12, 3-5) scored four runs in the bottom of sixth to salvage a split.
In the opening game, the Saints struck first in the third inning. Starting with a RBI single by
Tessani Dixon to left field, scoring
Lauren Diuco and
Lindsay Miller, who scored on an error during the play.
Sabrina Hicks cleared the bases with a single to left field, plating both
Julia Lucas and Dixon, and stretching the lead to 4-0.
Nicki DeHan added an insurance run in the sixth with her single up the middle, allowing
Alyssa French to score. The Cavaliers scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth, but
Lauren Maley worked out of the jam with a foul out to DeHan. Maley sealed the victory with a 1-2-3 seventh inning.
Lindsay Miller started the game, throwing two perfect innings.
Lauren Maley (4-7) came in to throw the final five innings, allowing two runs, both unearned, on five hits, and pick up her team-leading fourth win.
In the second game, Concordia got on the board first, scoring on a RBI single in the first inning. The Cavaliers extended their lead in the fourth inning with a sac fly, scoring one run.
In the top of fifth, the Saints mounted a rally, starting with a single, walk, and a single to load the bases with one out. Pinch hitter, Julia Lopez, scored the first run with a sac fly, before L. Miller tied the game with a single to left field.
Courtney Baird and Hicks scored in the inning for SMU.
However, the Cavaliers stormed back in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs, highlighted by a RBI double to right center, on five hits. The Saints managed to get runners on in the seventh, but were unable to score, falling 6-2.
Lauren Maley (4-8) picked up the loss after throwing five innings of relief, allowing four runs, all earned, on 10 hits. L. Miller got the start, but was unable to get out of the first inning, allowing three hits, and one run while recording one out.
Jessica O'Toole pitched recorded the final two outs, giving up one run.
"Our pitchers threw really well and we played good defense and we had several timely hits," said head coach
Jim Peterson. "We played a complete game all-around. It was a good performance for our team. In the second game, we struggled at the plate and could not get a timely hit when we had runners on base."
The Saints travel next week to Turlock, California for the Tournament of Champions. Saint Martin's will face six different schools in three days. Live stats of the tournament will be available with links on smusaints.com.
