AUSTIN, Texas – For the second time in three years, St. Thomas has advanced to the SCAC Softball Tournament Championships series after defeating top-seeded Teas Lutheran, 3-2, in the winner's bracket final to cap off a full day of action from Roberts Family Field on the campus of Concordia University. Official Website | Bracket | Photo Gallery | Tournament Stats
St. Thomas, which was down to its final strike earlier in the day against Trinity before rallying back for a walk off victory took full advantage and secured its spot in the championship final after handing the Bulldogs just their second loss of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The game remained scoreless through the opening four innings but not without each team threatening periodically as the two teams left a combined 10 runners on base through the first four frames.
- St. Thomas broke the scoreless draw in the visiting half of the fifth when Samantha Crumrin came up with a clutch two RBI double up the middle to score Rebecca Archibald and Delayne Moreno.
- The Celts extended their lead to 3-0 in the fifth when Zoe Acosta scored Isabelle Charles off a sacrifice fly.
- TLU would battle back in the home half of the inning, getting on the board after an Annie Kay triple that scored Caelee Clark.
- Kay came home to score when Serena Gonzalez rocketed a single into left field to bring the Bulldogs within one, 3-2, with two innings to play.
- TLU put pressure on the Celts over the final two innings, trying to find the tying run leaving four runners on base, including the bases loaded in the sixth but UST held on for the impressive 3-2 win.
- St. Thomas' Allison Hughes was outstanding in the circle, picking up the win with a complete game performance, scattering nine hits, striking out two, while allowing just the two runs.
UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
NOTABLES
- St. Thomas improves to 9-4 all-time in SCAC Tournament play, including a perfect 2-0 against TLU.
- Amanda White of TLU, the SCAC Pitcher of the Year, was credited with her first loss of the season, dropping her record to an impressive 19-1.
- Texas Lutheran falls to 30-4 all-time in SCAC play.
UP NEXT
St. Thomas advances to the SCAC Championship game tomorrow at 3 p.m. The Celts will face either Centenary, Trinity, or TLU for the SCAC tournament title. Texas Lutheran falls into the loser's bracket and will play the winner of the Centenary vs. Trinity game tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. CT.
