FORT WORTH, Texas – The Southwestern College softball squad traveled down to the Lone Star State to battle the Patriots of Arlington Baptist University in Fort Worth, Texas. The doubleheader matchups ended up falling in favor of the Patriots, as a similar close loss in game one, followed by an offensive stallout, resulted in two lost battles against ABU. In freezing weather, game one ended in just a two-run loss, 7-5. The following tilt was a one-sided game that ended in an 7-0 defeat for SC.

To start the first game, Southwestern was held off the scoreboard in the opening three innings, whereas the Patriots put four runs on the scoreboard in that same span to put them up 4-0 heading into the fourth inning of play.

In the top of the fourth, the Builders finally started to find their rhythm as Reagan Wright hit a sacrifice fly to center field making it possible for Allyson Lange to scamper home and earn the first run for the Builders. Shortly after, Isabel Lytle earned a two-run single on a ground ball to center field. Freshman, Taylor Mesna, and Sophomore, Zoe Berger, hustled home to make the score 4-3.

Arlington Baptist would add another two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run single on a line drive to center field.

The Moundbuilders would scratch across their final two runs of the game in the top of the sixth on a Rayven Favors two-run double, but could not obtain the sixth tally needed to tie the game. The patriots then added another run in their half of the sixth to make the score a final at 7-5.

Game two was especially difficult for the Southwestern offense, as they failed to score for the entire matchup. They had a total of seven hits in the battle, but could not string any rally together over the course of seven frames. The Patriots scored four runs in the second inning, two runs in the third, and one final run in the fifth inning.

In the two battles, Favors and Loren Wright led the team with three hits each, and Lytle followed their lead with two. Additionally, Favors and Lytle each had two runs batted in in game one, while R. Wright added the additional RBI to the box score.

Alexus Johnson (4.0 IP) and Raleigh Kramer (2.0 IP) were the two pitchers that manned the circle for SC in the opening tilt, while Ryleigh Branstetter pitched a complete game in the second bout. Branstetter had seven strikeouts in her six innings of work.

The Builders (0-4, 0-0 KCAC) will stay in Fort Worth, Texas, as they will play another game against the Patriots on Saturday, Feb. 11. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. After two losses, the Builders get the chance to take game three to bring home their first win of the 2023 slate.

--buildersports.com--