Softball traveled to UT-Dallas for a doubleheader this Sunday afternoon. After two games of action, the Celts split the day falling in game one 14-4, and winning game two 15-3.
Game 1: UST 4 UTD 14
The game began with a strong defensive showing from both teams, keeping the score tied at 0-0 after the first inning. However, Texas-Dallas broke the deadlock in the second inning when Erin Ledesma launched a three-run homer, bringing in Gracelyn Taylor and Megan Cavazos to give Texas-Dallas a 3-0 lead.
St. Thomas fought back in the fourth inning, sparked by Chloe Bennett's impressive solo home run to center field, cutting the deficit to 1-3. The momentum continued as Mallarie Munson scored on Isabelle Charles's double, followed by Charles scoring on a passed ball to tie the game at 3-3. Gabby Davila then scored on a groundout by Celeste Luna, giving St. Thomas a brief 4-3 lead.
However, Texas-Dallas responded emphatically in the bottom of the fourth, exploding for six runs to take a commanding lead. Ledesma struck again with another home run, this time a two-run shot, followed by RBI hits from Claire Pollack, Cole Johnson, and Julia Guerrero. MiKayla Hoffman capped off the scoring with a sacrifice fly, extending Texas-Dallas's lead to 9-4.
In the sixth inning, Texas-Dallas added five more runs, highlighted by Hoffman's three-run homer, to seal the victory with a final score of 14-4.
Game 2: UST 15 UTD 3
St. Thomas wasted no time asserting their dominance, jumping to an early lead in the first inning when Mallarie Munson smacked a double to center field, bringing in Jaelyn Simmons and Rebecca Archibald, putting St. Thomas ahead 2-0.
Their offense exploded in the second inning, with Izabella Hernandez drawing a walk to bring home Lindsey Gonzalez. Jaelyn Simmons also drew a walk, allowing Gabby Davila to score. Then, Chloe Bennett delivered a massive blow with a grand slam, driving in four runs and extending St. Thomas's lead to 8-0. But they weren't done yet. Delayne Moreno followed up with another grand slam, bringing in four more runs, and propelling St. Thomas to a commanding 12-0 lead.
St. Thomas continued to pile on the runs in the third inning, with Mallarie Munson driving in two more runs with a single, and Lindsey Gonzalez adding another run with a single, extending their lead to 15-0.
Texas-Dallas managed to put up a fight in the bottom of the third inning when Ashley Adams hit a three-run homer, but it wasn't enough to overcome St. Thomas's commanding lead.
Victoria Sossaman pitched a solid game for St. Thomas, allowing only four hits and three runs while striking out eight batters.
