LAS VEGAS – Trailing by eight runs, the Saints needed to make something happen in order to get back into their game with Colorado Christian. With a
Kylie Lopez grand slam,
Alyssa French three-run home run, another Lopez home run, and a
Devyn Connolly home run, the Saints pulled off the explosive comeback to win 11-10.
Saint Martin's hit for the home run cycle, launching all four types of home runs in order to rally from eight runs down. Lopez got the action going with a grand slam in the third, and then in the same inning, French's three-run blast pulled SMU to within one run. The comeback continued in the sixth, as Lopez struck again, going this time for a two-run shot to put SMU on top. Connolly picked up the final blast to complete the cycle in the sixth, before French tacked on an important insurance run to cap off the inning. The Saints gave up two more runs in the seventh, but managed to strand the tying run at third to sweep the first day of the Desert Stinger.
The Cougars pounced on the Saints, throwing up six runs in the first inning alone. Colorado Christian did all of their damage in the inning on small hits, scoring on five singles and three walks. In the second, a solo shot added to the lead, with the next run being added on a bases-loaded walk in the third.
The Saints needed to answer and quickly if they wanted to get back in the game. Three singles loaded the bases with only one out for Lopez. Getting the start at first base, she got the pitch she wanted the second pitch of the at-bat. Lopez lifted the ball to left field for the Saints' first grand slam of the season. The damage was not done in the inning however, with two outs, both Connolly and
Kylee Vanderbout forced walks to set up French. The senior capitalized and crushed a ball to right center and the lead was down to one.
Sabrina Hicks, who homered twice in the first game of the day, was on first with one out for Lopez. This time, on a 2-1 count, Lopez connected for her second long ball of the game, wrapping around the left field pole. With the lead, the Saints continued to deal damage.
Connolly put Saint Martin's up two with her solo blast to left, and Vanderbout tripled the following at-bat to center field. She came in to score on French's single up the middle, and SMU now led 11-8.
However, the game was far from over. Colorado Christian recorded two quick outs before mounting their comeback attempt. Two singles put the tying run at the plate, and the following batter laced a ball to right field. One run scored on the single, and another came in on the Saints' error, putting the tying run on third.
Brandi Schoessler (2-0) forced a groundball to third, and Vanderbout flipped it over to Lopez to seal the victory.
The Saints scored 11 runs, 10 of which came from the home runs, on 10 hits. On the day, the Saints hit six home runs, compared to their 16 in all of 2018 season. The long ball also accounted for 16 of their 18 runs in the two games.
Jessica O'Toole got the start in the circle, but was unable to record a single out, and was credited with giving up two runs.
Lauren Maley came in relief, going two innings, allowing five runs on seven hits.
Kimberlyn Tutt saw her first action in a Saints' uniform, pitching one inning and allowing one unearned run. Schoessler pitched the final four innings, and earned the win after only allowing two runs, one earned on five hits. The Saints' pitching staff recorded 15 ground outs, five fly outs, one double-play but no strikeouts.
Saint Martin's returns to action with two more games on Saturday, starting with CSU Monterey Bay at 4:30 p.m. followed by Academy of Art at 7:00 p.m. Live stats will be available for both games, and a live stream of the later game will also be available on smusaints.com.
