March 28, 2024

Southwestern softball roundup: Spartans start out season with hot start

Southwestern 10, East Central College 10 (6)

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – Southwestern (3-0-1) ended Saturday’s doubleheader of its opening weekend with a 10-10 tie in six innings to East Central College (2-3-1) due to time limit.

East Central College led 5-2 after the first three innings, but Southwestern rallied back in the fourth inning with seven runs. The Spartans added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning, but East Central College tied the game with five runs in the top of the sixth inning to force the tie.

Southwestern had 10 hits with five extra base hits. Grace Cotton hit her second home run of the weekend, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs in the second game of the doubleheader. She finished the weekend with a .667 batting average and nine RBIs, both team-highs. Brylee Kemper went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in the Saturday’s second game.

Southwestern 8, North Arkansas College 4

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – Starting off Saturday’s slate of games, Southwestern knocked off North Arkansas College (1-7) 8-4, limiting the Pioneers to one big inning at the Winter Northark Classic.

The Spartans scored two runs in the first two innings, keeping North Arkansas at bay until a three spot in the bottom of the third. Southwestern added four runs in the top of the fourth and two in the top of the sixth inning to run away with the win.

Five Spartans recorded RBIs on the day, totaling six in the game. Ali Enright hit a solo home run, and Jenna Parfeniuk drove in two runs despite ending her day 0-for-1.

Thayda Houser pitched all seven innings, allowing four hits and four earned runs. She struck out 11 batters while allowing three walks and one home run.

Southwestern 18, North Arkansas College 7 (5)

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – Southwestern steamrolled North Arkansas 18-7 in five innings during the second game of Friday’s doubleheader as the offense exploded to start the season.

The Spartans put up nine runs in the top of the first inning, leading 9-2 after the first six outs of the game. Offensively, Southwestern kept up the pressure with two runs in the second and fourth innings to go with five in the third inning.

Southwestern tallied 11 hits, 12 RBIs and 11 walks in the big win. Cotton led the team with four RBIs, going 3-for-3 and hit her first home run of the year. Paige Shwaluk drove in three runs on two hits.

Southwestern 15, East Central College 6 (5)

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – Southwestern opened the season Saturday, rolling through East Central College 15-6 in five innings.

Opening the season on the road, Southwestern put up five runs in the first inning, holding a five-run lead until East Central scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning. The Spartan bats quickly responded with 10 runs in the top of the fourth inning to control the game.

Houser faced all 23 batters in four innings, not allowing an earned run on four hits. She didn’t walk or strikeout any batters in the season opener.

The Spartans had 16 hits and 11 RBIs in the offensive explosions. Kaitlyn Schad and Enright each recorded three RBIs, going a combined 5-for-6 with a home run from Enrigh and triple from Schad’s.