TYLER, Texas – St. Edward's softball showed resiliency in the first NCAA Regional game against Lone Star Conference Champion and host Texas-Tyler, but couldn't overcome a rough start in a 7-4 loss to the Patriots.
ARIANNA VIDALES opened the game with a leadoff infield single, showcasing her speed by beating the throw on a cleanly fielded grounder to the shortstop.
The Patriots turned that strength against her on the next play when catcher Audrey Escamilla dove to catch KATIE DILLON's sacrifice bunt attempt before it hit the ground, then threw Vidales out at first to turn a quick start into a three-up, three-down inning after JORDAN NEELY went down swinging.
Texas-Tyler struck in the bottom of the first, getting a leadoff infield single from JT Smith, who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sam Schott, then to third on a groundout by Courtney Plocheck, and finally scoring on a wild pitch.
St. Edward's compounded matters with two indecisive plays on infield grounders with runners on, hesitating where to make the play, allowing runners to reach with two outs, and plating two more runs for the 3-0 lead.
Vidales sparked the Hilltoppers with a spectacular diving catch in center field in the bottom of the second with two outs and a runner on second, saving a run.
The play appeared to settle down the Hilltoppers, who held the Patriots scoreless in the third and scored two runs in the top of the fourth, getting a stand-up double from Neely off the fence, then a two-run blast from ALEXIS MASSIE to right-center.
Texas-Tyler answered immediately with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Keely Castillo led off with an infield single in the gap between shortstop and third. Then, after JT Smith popped up for the first out, CADIE BELLE CURRIE hit Schott.
Plocheck grounded into a fielder's choice to second, with St. Edward's missing on two opportunities to turn two on the play. First, Plocheck beat the throw at first, then pinch-runner Berlyn Grossman's slide home knocked the ball loose on the play at the plate for the first run. Michelle Arias followed with an RBI triple for the 5-2 lead.
Texas-Tyler scored one run in the fifth and sixth innings, taking a 7-2 lead. Currie hit Amanda Marek with one out, then surrendered a double to center field from Caitlyn Wells, putting both runners in scoring position. Keely Castillo reached on an error, loading the bases, then pinch-runner Angelique Rangel scored on a wild pitch before Currie got the next two hitters to groundout to first.
KYLEN PADGETT replaced Currie in the pitcher's circle in the sixth and walked Arias with one out, then struck out Avery Farr. Then, Arias stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher GABI LOPEZ, scoring on an RBI single from Escamilla.
Lopez opened the top of the seventh with a leadoff walk. Then, after YVONNE CASTILLO popped up to second, MEGAN MORRIS singled to right field. After HAILEY SONKA went down looking, Vidales walked to load the bases, and Dillon reached on an error, scoring Lopez. After a pitch hit Neely to score Morris, Massie delivered a hard-hit shot directly to Arias at third to end the game.
Massie hit 2-for-4 with two RBIs and run scored on the home run. Vidales, Neely, ELLA HUTZLER, Hoyt, and Morris each had a hit.
St. Edward's will play tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. against Lubbock Christian in an elimination game.
