PORTLAND, Ore. – Behind
Brandi Schoessler's complete game shutout in game one, and
Kylie Lopez's two home run, five RBI game in second billing, the Saints rolled through Warner Pacific for two victories on Tuesday.
In the opener, Schoessler (6-2) proved to be too much for Warner Pacific (11-12) to handle, and picked up her third win in just four days. The senior went the full seven innings, allowing no runs, on four hits, with zero walks, and one strikeout.
Kylee Vanderbout delivered the first run support for the Saints (9-5) with her RBI single to left, scoring
Julia Lucas in the second inning. Then the Saints added to the pressure in the third inning, scoring on a passed ball.
Then SMU capitalized on another error by Warner Pacific in the fifth inning, adding another run. In the sixth, their final run came on a bases-loaded walk to
Megan Convery to stretch the lead to 4-0. Schoessler shut the door in the bottom of the seventh with three straight plays to shortstop.
In the second game, the Saints opened with three runs in the top of the second, but the Knights came back strong. Warner Pacific took their first lead of the day with four runs in the bottom of the second, coming on a grand slam.
The Saints offense came alive again in the fourth inning after
Kylie Lopez connected on her fourth home run of the year, a three run shot. Vanderbout drove in another run in the fifth inning with a single up the middle, opening up a 7-4 lead.
Lopez struck again in the sixth inning, connecting for her second straight home run, and fifth of the year. Her solo shot kicked off a late offensive surge for the Saints, as SMU drove in four in the final two innings.
Nicki DeHan,
Megan Convery, and Lopez again drove in runs to capture the 11-4 win.
Abby Runyon (3-2) pitched the first six innings, picking up the win on seven hits, four runs, with four walks, and four strikeouts.
Shaye Pinner was called in to close out the final inning, retiring all three batters, including one strikeouts.
The Saints travel down I-5 tomorrow to face Corban for another non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
