Houston TX - The University of St. Thomas' softball team earned a pair of strong victories over the University of the Ozarks, defeating the Eagles 9–1 and 11–2. The Celts responded quickly to early deficits in both games, using steady offense, timely hitting, and consistent production across multiple innings to take control and pull away with the wins. With the pair of wins, the Celts improve their overall record to 20-5 and are 18-2 in conference.
Game 1: UST 9, Ozarks 1
The Ozarks struck first in the top of the first inning with an RBI single to take a 1–0 lead. St. Thomas answered in the bottom of the second inning when Olivia Sanchez tripled to left field, driving home Ciaira Gonzalez and tying the game at 1–1.
The Celts took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Chloe Bennett doubled to right field and Rebecca Archibald scored on a fielding error to give St. Thomas a 2–1 advantage. Later in the inning, Gonzalez reached on an error and advanced to third, bringing home both Samantha Crumrin and Bennett, extending the lead to 4–1.
St. Thomas added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Gonzalez delivered an RBI double to center field scoring Bennett, and Viviana Vargas followed with a two-run RBI single to bring home Gonzalez and Crumrin, extending their advantage to 7–1.
The Celts continued to build momentum in the bottom of the sixth inning. Bennett drew a bases-loaded walk to score Maegan Anderson, and Crumrin added an RBI single to bring home Archibald, sealing the 9–1 victory.
Game 2: UST 11, Ozarks 2
The Ozarks opened the scoring in the top of the first inning with an RBI groundout to take a 1–0 lead. St. Thomas answered in the bottom of the inning when Chloe Bennett lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Rebecca Archibald to score and tie the game at 1–1.
The Celts took control in the second inning. Kianah Johnson tripled to left field to drive in Ana Zozaya and Ciaira Gonzalez, giving St. Thomas a 3–1 lead. Gigi Rivera followed with a single that resulted in Johnson scoring on an error, extending the advantage to 4–1.
St. Thomas continued to build momentum in the third inning when Bennett launched a solo home run to push the lead to 5–1.
The Celts broke the game open in the fourth inning. Rivera doubled to center field to score Johnson, and Savana Henken reached as Rivera came home on an error. Bennett added an RBI double to bring in Henken, stretching the lead to 8–1.
The Ozarks added a run in the fifth inning, but St. Thomas answered right back. Johnson grounded out to bring home Gonzalez, making it 9–2.
The Celts added additional runs in the bottom of the sixth inning as Bennett hit an RBI single to score Archibald and Samantha Crumrin followed with an RBI single to plate Henken, sealing the 11–2 victory.
Up Next
St. Thomas will look to carry their momentum into their last game in this series. The game is scheduled to be played on Saturday, March 29, at 12PM at WUSA field.
