MESQUITE, Texas – The York University softball team split a pair of games Friday, falling to Mid-America Christian before knocking off Southwestern Assemblies of God.
The Panthers are now 1-3 on the season.
Against Mid-America Christian, the visitors got on the board quickly.
Breanna Underwood led the game off with a triple and scored on
Paige Chapman's base hit to left field.
Down 2-1 in the top of the third,
Nevaeh Reed singled and moved to second on a base knock by
Kennedie Anderson. After a walk to
Sofia Perez,
Kayla Noelker's infield single knotted the score at 2-2. Two batters later,
Katie Taylor's single to left field gave the visitors a 3-2 advantage.
MACU answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame to make it 4-3. The designated home team posted two runs in the fifth for a three-run spot.
The Panthers answered back with a pair of runs in the sixth inning.
Sariah Ayala walked and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Underwood. After Underwood swiped second base, Anderson roped a two-out double to left field to pull York within one.
MACU plated two runs in the sixth inning, but the Panthers continued to battle. Noelker led off the at bat with a double to right field.
Ariana Barcelo came in as a pinch runner. Two batters later, Taylor's bunt single pushed Barcelo to third. However, a double play ended the game.
For the contest, Anderson led the way with a two-hit, two RBI performance. Chapman, Noelker, Taylor and Underwood all registered two hits. Underwood scored twice in the game.
In the circle,
Malia Alvarez tossed five innings and struck out three.
Bailey Hardey worked a frame.
In the second game of the day, coming against Southwestern Assemblies of God, York took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With one away, Chapman singled to the pitcher. A double by Anderson put runners on second and third. Both Panthers came home when Perez doubled to center field.
York increased the advantage to 4-0 with two runs in the third. After Underwood reached on an error, Chapman recorded an infield single. Underwood came around to score on an error. Two batters later, Anderson's tripe allowed Chapman to score.
Taylor launched a lead-off homer in the fifth. Moments later, Underwood, who reached on an error, came around to score when Chapman reached on another miscue.
The visitors made it 6-2 with a run in the fifth stanza but the Panthers cruised to the win.
For the game, Anderson led the way with a three-hit performance while Chapman tallied two hits. Perez led the way with two RBI. Taylor recorded a solo round-tripper. Chapman and Underwood each crossed home twice.
Hardey tossed a complete game. She gave up three runs, two of which were earned, while scattering eight hits.
The Panthers return to action tomorrow for games against Benedictine and Oklahoma City. The first game is set to begin at 12:30 p.m. while the second contest is slated for 2:45 p.m.
