SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The East Central University softball team fell in the first two games of the St. Mary's NCAA Division II College Classic. The Tigers (0-4) fell 1-2 to Lubbock Christian in the first game of the day and then 3-6 to No. 10 Tarleton State.
ECU was led by senior
Jordynn VanPelt, hitting .500 for the day, with a triple and home run. VanPelt scored once and drove in two runs. Senior
Taylor Davis also garnered three hits for the day, including a double.
In the first game of the day, senior
Marissa Shaffer threw a complete game, allowing six hits and two runs, while striking out three batters. Senior
Lacey Paulk started the second game, going six innings, allowing six hits and runs and striking out two.
The Tigers will return to the field, Friday, Feb. 5 with games against St. Edward's (10 a.m.) and Colorado School of Mines (2:30 p.m.).
Lubbock Christian 2, East Central 1The Tigers opened the scoring against the Lady Chaps in the top of the third inning. After the first out,
Taylor Davis reached base with a single to left center. The second out was then recorded, but VanPelt sent a ball to the right field wall for a triple to score Davis.
ECU held LCU scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when they tied the game at one. The Lady Chaps then added a second run in the fifth to take a 1-2 lead.
Both teams went three-and-out the remaining innings for the 1-2 final.
Tarleton State 6, East Central 3ECU was the first to score, going up 1-0 after the second inning. Senior
Lauren Reeves led off the inning with a triple to right center and scored when freshman
Caitlin Paolini grounded out to short.
TSU responded with a run in the top of the third to tie the game at one. However, VanPelt put the Tigers back on top in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run (2-1).
The Texanns responded in the top of the fourth, scoring two runs for a 2-3 advantage.
ECU tied the game at three in the bottom of the inning. After the first out, freshman
Mariah Ewy singled to left field.
Taylor Davis then singled to right field, but due to a throwing error Ewy scored.
After the fourth, TSU scored a run in each of the final three innings, while holding ECU scoreless for a 3-6 final.