Softball swept by Louisiana Tech, eliminated from postseason play
North Texas senior infielder Karly Williams (11) slides into home to score a run against Louisiana Tech. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer
Clay Massey |Staff Writer
After two losses in a doubleheader yesterday, the Mean Green softball team could not avoid a sweep against Louisiana Tech University, losing 9-3 on Sunday afternoon.
With the loss, North Texas is now mathematically eliminated from making the Conference USA tournament hosted at Lovelace Stadium in Denton.
“We have nine games left in our season,” head coach Tracey Kee said. “We’re mathematically out of it, so it’s a matter of what type of spoiler act we want to play. Right now we’re sitting 0-1 with nine games to go.”
Junior outfielder Danieller Gregory (18) extends to try to beat out a throw from a Louisiana Tech infielder. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer
North Texas (20-26, 3-15) was out-scored 26 to five across the weekend, and the pitching staff allowed a combined 15 runs. Junior Stacey Underwood got the nod to start in today’s finale and was used in relief as well for 4.1 total innings, allowing four runs on five hits.
The Mean Green showed some fight early, as it scored in each of the first three innings. North Texas scored in the first when Kee used a double steal to get runners on second and third, and then junior Danielle Gregory brought home a run on a sac-fly for a 1-0 lead.
Lousisana Tech (27-16, 8-7) answered with a run of its own in the second with back-to-back doubles. The Mean Green added a run in the second and third with a solo-shot from freshman Rhylie Makawe in the second – her sixth of the season.
Makawe had been slumping entering the LA Tech series, as she was just 3-for-28 entering the weekend.
“It was well-needed,” Makawe said. “But if we can’t match up to the hits they have, it’s definitely tough.”
Softball head coach Tracey Kee looks on during a game against Louisiana Tech. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer
The Mean Green added its final run in the third when Gregory went opposite field for her third homer of the year. Then, senior Anna Cross entered the game for LA Tech on the mound, and shut down North Texas. Cross went 4.1 innings, allowing no runs on just one hit.
Senior catcher Bryana wade said the Mean Green simply could not catch up to her fastball.
“Man, she was bringing the heat,” Wade said. “I give her mad props because she can throw a cannon underhanded and overhanded. She was doing her job and you can’t be any more successful than that.”
The Lady Techsters failed to score in only the first and last innings, adding one run in the second, fourth and fifth, and three runs each in the third and sixth. Next, junior Pauline Tufi cracked a two-run shot to left to put Tech up 3-2 – her ninth of the year.
Senior infielder Karly Williams (11) drives a ball off her bat against Louisiana Tech. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer
Freshman Morgan Turkoly followed up with a moonshot to dead center to make it 4-2. Tufi added another two-run shot in the sixth, and LA Tech followed with a run with a sac-fly.
With the mathematical elimination from postseason play, the focus now shifts to playing for the team’s two seniors, Wade and utility player Karly Williams.
“We have nine games left, and we’re going to try and make the most for me and Karly,” Williams said. “I know me and Karly are trying to do our best to go out on a good note and help the team next year be successful.”
The Mean Green are back in action on April 27 with a home doubleheader against Texas Tech University.
Featured Image: Senior infielder Karly Williams (11) slides into home to score a run against Louisiana Tech. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer
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