February 25, 2009

Trinity Splits With Texas Lutheran on Wednesday

Trinity (2-6) took the early lead in the opening game with a three-run first, but Texas Lutheran stormed back with six runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 9-7 win.  In game two, the Tigers opened the scoring again, plating a pair of third-inning runs.  Texas Lutheran got runs in the fifth and the seventh, but Trinity was able to hold on for the win, and secure the split.

After the Tigers went up 3-0 in the first game, Texas Lutheran cut the lead to one with a two-run third.  Trinity scored two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings, and took a 7-3 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning.  The home team, though, pounded out six hits for the six-run sixth to take the lead for good. 

Alexa Calderon was 2-2 with one run and one RBI to lead Trinity's offense, while two other players had two hits each.  Karen MacPherson was 2-3 with a run scored, while Kate Wright was 2-4 with two runs and one RBI.  MacPherson also drew two walks, while Wright had Trinity's only extra-base hit - a leadoff double in the fifth inning. 

MacPherson also tied a school record by stealing three bases in the opening game.  She ties a record that was set in 1999 by current head coach Nicole Smith. 

Brittany Losey (1-3) gave up nine runs on 13 hits through 5.1 innings, but just six of the runs were earned.  Helen Thompson recorded the final two outs to close out the sixth inning.

In game two, Trinity led 3-0 before Texas Lutheran broke up the shutout with a run in the fifth.  The Tigers added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to take a 5-1 lead into the final frame.  Texas Lutheran scored a run on a pair of hits, but after the run scored, the Tigers recorded three straight outs to finish off the win.

Annie Clarke (1-2) earned the win, giving up just one run on five hits through five innings of work.  Thompson came on to pitch the final two innings and earn the save, giving up just one run on three hits.

Calderon and MacPherson picked up two more hits in game two, and both players drove in a run as well.  Rachel Garrett was 1-3 with a run scored, also drawing a walk for the Tigers.

Christina Carni picked up a hit in both games, extending her hitting streak to eight games to start the year.  MacPherson also has hit safely in all eight games this season, while Jamie Williams had her hitting streak stopped at seven in game two.  Williams had a school-record 28-game hitting streak last season.

Trinity will travel to Longview, Texas this weekend to play in the LeTourneau Tournament.  The Tigers play two games on both Friday and Saturday in the tournament, then will face off against the University of Ozarks in a Sunday doubleheader at LeTourneau University.