The Austin College softball team improved to 4-3 on the year with a dramatic sweep of Hendrix College on Saturday, coming from six runs down to win 9-8 in game one and getting a walk off 8-7 game two victory at Old Settlers Park.
Both teams had a pair of errors in the first inning, with Hendrix taking advantage to put three runs on the board and the 'Roos were able to counter with a run of their own when Taylor Steelman scored. Hendrix would add four runs in the third to get it to a 7-1 game. The Warriors had four hits and also took advantage of two more errors in their big inning.
After Austin College got an RBI double from Mallory Rossmann in the bottom of the third, the 'Roos used a huge fifth inning that started with a two run homer by Sophia Hernandez and saw seven 'Roos cross the plate to take a 9-7 lead. Rachel Ramos added a two run single to give the 'Roos their first lead of the game. Hendrix would add one run in the top of the seventh, but Hernandez was able to get out of a jam to earn the victory on the mound.
Ramos went 3-for-4 with two RBI and Steelman went 2-for-3. Hernandez went the distance on the mound, surrendering eight runs, only three earned, and went 1-for-3 with the two run shot.
In game two, Hendrix again struck first with a run in the top of the first but Austin College got a two run homer from Hernandez and a solo shot from Hailey Clendennen to make it 3-1, and another run came home in the second to make it 4-1. The Warriors fought back and tied things up in the fifth, but the 'Roos plated two with Hernandez and Emily Low each driving in a run in the bottom half of the inning to make it 6-4 heading to the sixth.
In the top of the seventh the Warriors took their first lead of the game when Victoria Hughes cleared the bases with a triple to make it 7-6 heading into the final chance for Austin College, but the 'Roos quickly loaded the bases for Mary Whitworth, who delivered a single to left with one out, scoring Briana Hernandez and making it an 8-7 final.
Victoria Herrera went the distance to earn the win, striking out eight batters. Whitworth finished 3-for-4 with a double and Sophia Hernandez went 2-for-4 with three RBI to lead the 'Roos offensively. Steelman again went 2-for-3 in the win.
Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
About Austin College
Austin College is a leading national independent residential liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope's influential book Colleges that Change Lives.