'Roos Run Past Crusaders

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College softball team found itself trailing 4-1 early, but a grand slam by Elizabeth Preston put Austin College on top and the 'Roos would never look back on their way to an 11-5 victory on Saturday evening at Old Settlers Park. The 'Roos are now 14-16 on the year.

Austin College took advantage of a throwing error in the bottom of the first to grab a 1-0 lead as Preston came home for the team's first run, but Dallas plated four runs in the top of the second to go up 4-1. However, the 'Roos loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom half of the inning, with Preston belting the fourth home run of her career to put Austin College ahead 5-4. Carrie Johnson ripped an RBI single later in the inning, scoring Tori Fowler to make it a 6-4 game. 

Fowler drew a bases loaded walk to bring home another run in the third, and Chyrsi Hemby followed with a run-scoring infield hit to make it 8-4 heading into the fourth. The margin grew to 9-4 in the fourth, with Kalee Rush knocking a base hit up the middle to score Alissandra Tobar, and that would remain the score until the sixth. The Crusaders got one run back in the top of the sixth to trim it to 9-5, but Lyndsey Busch plated a run with a sacrifice fly and Andrea Saucedo drove in the final run of the game to make it 11-5 through six innings.

Alexus Johnson picked up her seventh victory of the year while tossing her 12th complete game of the season, giving up five runs on 11 hits with three strikeouts. Preston finished 2-for-3 with four RBI to celebrate her Senior Night, as all five of the team's seniors, also including Johnson, Rush, Saucedo, and Carrie Johnson, had at least one RBI in the win. Faith Butler added a 3-for-3 performance, and Fowler went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases. Bre Barnes went 2-for-3 with three RBI to lead the Crusaders.