MESQUITE, Texas – The York University softball team opened the season with a pair of games Thursday to Oklahoma Panhandle State University and Southwestern Christian University.
York dropped both games to open the season. The team lost 5-4 to OPSU while dropping the nightcap 11-1 to SCU.
The Panthers are now 0-2 on the season.
Against OPSU, the Panthers trailed 4-0 entering the third inning but the team quickly responded. An infield single by
Sariah Ayala started the inning before
Breanna Underwood recorded another base hit.
Paige Chapman's base knock loaded the bags. After a fielder's choice,
Kennedie Anderson's single up the middle scored two.
Sofia Perez's single down the left field line made it 4-3 as
Nevaeh Reed crossed home plate.
York knotted the game in the fifth inning. Chapman started it off with a single before swiping second base. Two batters later, Anderson delivered a hit up the middle to tie it at 4-4. The visitors were unable to push across another run in the frame, leaving two stranded.
OPSU scored what turned out to be the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth as the Panthers were unable to get anyone on in the seventh.
For the game, Anderson led the way with two hits and three RBI. Chapman notched two hits and scored twice. Ayala,
Kayla Noelker, Perez and Underwood all tallied hits.
Bailey Hardey went the distance, striking out seven, in the loss. She gave up five runs on five hits but only four runs were earned.
In the second game of the day, coming against SCU, York took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the second frame. Perez opened the inning with a solo blast to center field for the advantage.
SCU knotted the contest at 1-1 in the third stanza before plating four in the fourth and six in the fifth for the 11-1 final.
York registered four hits in the game. In addition to Perez's solo round-tripper, Chapman singled in the first to put a pair of runners on base. Reed singled in the third and Noelker recorded a base knock in the fourth.
Ariana Barcelo, Noelker and Underwood reached base via walks.
Malia Alvarez worked four innings and had a pair of strikeouts in the loss.
Kaitlyn Roe tossed the final frame and registered a strikeout.
The Panthers return to action tomorrow for games against Mid-America Christian (Okla.) at 2:50 p.m., and Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) at 5:15 p.m.
