STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Seattle University softball fell, 2-1, at Tarleton State on Friday evening. Shi Smith pitched a complete game and struck out seven as the Texans claimed the opener in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) series.
After a scoreless first, Stephanie Merwin got the action started with a one-out double in the top of the second. Grace Dudden and Brooke Milder both walked to load the bases for pinch-hitter Taylor DeDen. The sophomore worked back from an 0-2 count to draw a walk and bring in Merwin for the game's first run.
SU stranded a pair in the third before Shi Smith posted two strikeouts in the bottom half of the frame. Alyson Matriotti singled and stole second in the fourth, but the hosts got out of trouble to push the game onward.
Smith struck out two more Texans in a 1-2-3 fourth. Tarleton escaped danger in the fifth, but Smith worked around an infield single to toss a scoreless fifth.
The Redhawks got hits from Cherise Silvan and Matriotti in the sixth, but a terrific defensive play by the Texan shortstop kept SU from adding runs.
The home side came through with four hits to produce the tying run in the bottom of the sixth. Tarleton strung together two singles and a walk-off double to take the decision in the seventh.
Smith threw 6.2 innings and struck out seven while walking none in a tough-luck loss. Matriotti tallied two hits, while Cathcart walked twice and was hit by a pitch.
The teams will meet for a doubleheader tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Pacific (9:30 a.m. Central) at Tarleton.
After a scoreless first, Stephanie Merwin got the action started with a one-out double in the top of the second. Grace Dudden and Brooke Milder both walked to load the bases for pinch-hitter Taylor DeDen. The sophomore worked back from an 0-2 count to draw a walk and bring in Merwin for the game's first run.
SU stranded a pair in the third before Shi Smith posted two strikeouts in the bottom half of the frame. Alyson Matriotti singled and stole second in the fourth, but the hosts got out of trouble to push the game onward.
Smith struck out two more Texans in a 1-2-3 fourth. Tarleton escaped danger in the fifth, but Smith worked around an infield single to toss a scoreless fifth.
The Redhawks got hits from Cherise Silvan and Matriotti in the sixth, but a terrific defensive play by the Texan shortstop kept SU from adding runs.
The home side came through with four hits to produce the tying run in the bottom of the sixth. Tarleton strung together two singles and a walk-off double to take the decision in the seventh.
Smith threw 6.2 innings and struck out seven while walking none in a tough-luck loss. Matriotti tallied two hits, while Cathcart walked twice and was hit by a pitch.
The teams will meet for a doubleheader tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Pacific (9:30 a.m. Central) at Tarleton.