SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College softball team rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the bottom of the seventh to come away with a 4-3, walk-off victory and give the 'Roos a split of Saturday's doubleheader with Trinity University. The 'Roos dropped game one 4-1, with the split bringing their record to 5-27 overall and 2-16 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.
An error opened the door for the first Trinity run in game one, and the Tigers would plate another in the second inning to go on top 2-0 early. That remained the score until the top of the sixth, when Trinity's Siera Spurlock came on to pinch hit and knocked an RBI single up the middle. Another Austin College error made it 4-0 in the seventh, with the 'Roos finally getting on the board on a sacrifice fly by Emily Low to make it a 4-1 score.
Kat Wright took the loss for Austin College, surrendering four runs (two earned) on seven hits in a complete game effort. Five different players had a base hit for Austin College, with Beth Massey and Ashley Mayorga each notching a double in the loss.
In game two, Wright led off the bottom of the second with a home run to left center to put Austin College ahead 1-0, but in the next half inning the Tigers would get a solo shot of their own to square things up. Trinity would add a two-run homer by Hilary Hoffman in the fifth inning to go on top 3-1, and that's how things would stay until the bottom of the seventh.
After Lauren Mara reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the seventh, the 'Roos drew three straight walks. Jordan Proctor drew a bases loaded walk to score Mara and cut it to a 3-2 game, and Massey tied things up with an RBI single to left. Low finished off the comeback with a base hit through the left side, scoring Marina Wise and giving Austin College the victory.
Tori Herrera went the distance in the circle to earn the win, striking out 10 batters with only one walk and giving up three runs on six hits. Massey finished 2-for-4 to lead the 'Roos at the plate, as Austin College was limited to four hits as a team in the game.
Austin College and Trinity wrap up their conference series tomorrow at noon, with Senior Day recognition for the 'Roos taking place before the first game.
Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.