Softball Rallies Past Saint Francis in NAIA Opening Round
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
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0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
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0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | X | 5 | 8 | 0 |
ASHLAND, Ore. - The No. 2 seed Texas A&M University-Texarkana softball team opened the NAIA National Championship Opening Round with a thrilling 5-4 comeback victory over No. 3 seed University of Saint Francis Monday afternoon at Laurel Park in Ashland, Oregon. With the win, the Eagles improve to 38-14 overall and advance in the winner's bracket of the Ashland Bracket.
The Eagles battled back from multiple deficits, scoring four runs over the final three innings to secure the opening round victory. Saint Francis struck first in the top of the third inning on a two-run home run from Abby Robakowski to take a 2-0 lead.
TAMUT answered in the bottom half of the inning after sophomore Jaquelyn Schmidt reached on a bunt single and later came around to score on a throwing error, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Cougars added two more runs in the fifth inning on a two-RBI triple to extend their lead to 4-1, but the Eagles quickly responded with a huge inning of their own. Senior Madison Ruiz delivered the big swing with a two-run triple to center field, bringing home Victoria Clayton and Kamryn Walker to make it a one-run game. Moments later, Ruiz scored the tying run on a Saint Francis fielding error to even the score at 4-4.
In the sixth inning, the Eagles took their first lead of the game as Clayton singled to left center, scoring Schmidt for what proved to be the game-winning run.
Alexis Snyder earned the win in relief, tossing two scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out four. Rylee Glenn started in the circle and worked the first five innings.
Ruiz led the Eagles offensively with two hits and two RBIs, while Clayton added two hits and two RBIs of her own. Grace Cantu recorded a double, and Schmidt scored twice in the victory.
The Eagles will now face No. 1 seed and defending NAIA National Champions Southern Oregon University this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. CT (1:30 p.m. PT) in Ashland, Oregon.