ARLINGTON, TEXAS – The App State softball team fell to UTA in both games of the doubleheader Saturday afternoon, 2-0 and 6-0. The Mountaineers are now 24-15 and 6-10 in the conference. UTA moves to 16-28 (9-10 SBC).
Game 1
Two runs were all UTA needed to take the win in game one, scoring in the bottom of the second.
The Mavericks put runners on first and second with two walks. A sacrifice bunt moved them to second and third and Kimber Cortemelia singled to center field to bring in two. A ground out to the pitcher ended the threat.
UTA starter JoJo Valencia had the Mountaineers off balance, giving up only three hits in her five innings pitched. App State came close in the fourth as
Baylee Morton was hit by pitch and
Kayt Houston singled. A deep fly ball to center from
Sidney Russell ended the inning.
Along with Houston, Russell and
Taylor Thorp each tallied a hit.
Kenzie Longanecker (12-6) pitched well in the circle for the Mountaineers but received the loss. She threw all seven, giving up two runs off three hits.
Valencia (4-6) received the win for UTA with Allie Gardiner coming on in the sixth to receive her fourth save of the season. Cortemelia, KJ Murphy, and Reagan Hukill had the other hits for the Mavs.
Game 2
The Mavericks were able to plate two in the bottom of the third inning to take an early 2-0 lead. With two outs, Reese Scott reached safely after being hit by a pitch. She stole second and Jessica Carreon singled to left field. An error by the left fielder
Emily Parrott scored Scott and Carreon advanced to second on the throw. Murphy followed that with a single up the middle to score UTA's second run.
UTA tacked on three more in the fifth as Murphy hit a three-run home run to score Kenedy Hines and Carreon to take the 5-0 lead to the sixth. The Mavericks scored the final run of the game in the sixth with a sacrifice fly for the 6-0 victory.
Hines (5-11) earned the win in the circle, throwing the complete game shutout giving up three hits.
Sydney Holland (7-5) made the start for the Mountaineers, giving up five runs on six hits, receiving the loss.
Delani Buckner came on in the sixth, pitching one inning and giving up one run on one hit.
At the plate for the Mountaineers, Houston,
Gabby Buruato and Thorp each recorded a hit. The final game of the series will take place Sunday with the first pitch at Noon.
