Six homers help Saints softball sweep A&M San Antonio

The softball team continued on its 11-game winning streak after sweeping Texas A&M University–San Antonio (AM-SA) 3-2 and 13-0 in a Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) doubleheaders.

The Saints improve to 20-4 overall and 6-0 in the RRAC, while AM-SA drops to 7-12 overall and 2-2 in the RRAC.

Prior to the game, senior MacKenzie Purcell was recognized. She joined the Saints this season after previously playing for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She has batted six times this season and amassed two hits, including a double. MacKenzie also walked twice, scored twice and drove in one runner. Purcell is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.

History
The Saints are now 9-1 against the Jaguars. Last season, OLLU defeated AM-SA 11-4, 9-0 and 9-8, and lost 6-7.

Game One
Caitlin Terrazas started the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning. The score remained 1-0 through the fourth inning when Terrazas hit her second homer of the game. After an at-bat from Ariel Montgomery, Joanna Gonzalez hit a homer to put the Saints up 3-0.

The Jaguars threatened in the sixth inning after Melissa Gonzalez doubled to score Peyton Vasquez. Samara Aguilera followed with a hit to left to send Allesandra Rosalez home. The Saints were able to close out the game with the 3-2 win.

Terrazas led the offense after going 2-for-2 with two homers and two RBIs. Cassandra Valdez got her 10th win after pitching seven innings and striking out a career-tying 12 batters.

Game Two
The Saints wasted no time in filling the scoreboard. Madison Nunn’s single scored Terrazas and Rebecca Duran. Madison Garza reached base after an error by the catcher that scored Emilia Salinas. Kayla Dreese reached on a fielder’s choice to get all bases occupied. Kristee Salas came up to bat and hit a grand slam over the center field fence. All seven runs were scored in the first inning.

In the second inning, Nunn sent the ball over left, and she scored Alyssa Flores and Gonzalez to put the Saints up 10-0. Salas returned to bat in the third inning and hit her second homer of the game to give the Saints the 11-0 lead. Kaili Luna’s hit sent Deandra Vera home in the fourth inning. Luna scored on an error to put the Saints on top 13-0, and after the Jaguars batted in the top of the fifth, the Saints secured the win on the run rule.

Nunn and Salas both went 2-for-2, with five RBIs each. Nunn had one homer, while Salas had two. Angela Ramirez notched her eighth win after pitching all five innings and striking out four.

What’s next
The Saints will travel to Louisiana for its next four games. They will play Louisiana Christian University on March 17 and Xavier University of Louisiana on Saturday.