SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College softball team found itself on both sides of one-run games on Saturday, falling 5-4 to Hendrix before securing a walk-off 7-6 victory against Concordia-Texas later in the day for the team's first win of the season. The 'Roos are now 1-5 overall on the year.
In game one, Hendrix got on the board in the top of the first but Austin College answered on an RBI from Avery Atencio to square things up. However, the 'Roos would be stymied at the plate for the next several innings, while Hendrix got a homer from Jaydan Hunt in the second and tacked on three more runs in the fourth to make it a 5-1 game. Jaide Vidal singled home a run in the fifth to cut it to a 5-2 game, and the 'Roos loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh. Ashley Mayorga delivered a 2-run single to cut it to a 5-4 game, putting the tying run on third base, but a diving catch at shortstop recorded the third out to cut the rally short.
Caitlin Nagy went 2-for-3 to lead the 'Roos at the plate and also scored twice, while Hannah Richendollar took the loss after surrendering five runs (four earned) on nine hits in 4.0 innings of work.
Against Concordia, the 'Roos fell behind 2-0 after the first inning, and that's how things remained until the fourth. The 'Roos would explode for five runs in the frame to take the 5-2 lead, with Emma Martinez doubling home a pair of runs and Marisa Duke and Mayorga each driving in a run, while the fifth run scored on an error. However, Concordia would respond with three runs in the fifth to even things up, and eventually take a 6-5 lead in the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh Martinez drew a walk with the bases loaded to tie things up, and Atencio would score on a wild pitch to give the 'Roos the victory.
Mayorga and Vidal each went 2-for-3 and Martinez went 1-for-3 with three RBI in the win, while Reina Serrano got the win in relief, giving up one unearned run in 2.2 innings of work.
Austin College is back in action Sunday when they host the University of the Ozarks for a doubleheader beginning at noon.