Lady Steers sweep Gold Nuggets; Southwest visits Friday

RESERVE, La. — Xavier University of Louisiana and Texas College traded places in the Red River Athletic Conference softball standings Monday after the Lady Steers defeated the Gold Nuggets 4-2 and 5-2 at Regala Park.

Texas College (12-10 overall, 7-9 RRAC) climbed to seventh in the 11-team RRAC standings, and XULA (8-16, 6-10) dropped to eighth. The RRAC’s top eight teams will qualify for the conference tournament May 4-7 at Pineville, La.

XULA took a 2-1 lead in the opener when Rayne Althaus doubled home Caitlin Buford, then Madison Winston’s sacrifice bunt scored Althaus. But the Lady Steers tied the score in the sixth and won it in the final inning on sacrifice flies by Sydney Palomo and Jennifer Gress.

XULA never led in the second game but rallied for a tie at two in the third on RBI singles by T’Auna Fenroy and Buford. Zoe Backstrom’s fourth-inning sacrifice fly put Texas College ahead to stay.

Winning pitchers Madalyne Martinez and Gress threw complete games. XULA freshman right-hander Maia Tyler pitched 13 innings, including a complete game in the opener.

Althaus stole four bases, three in the second game.

XULA will play host to Southwest (N.M.) in a noon Friday RRAC doubleheader with free admission at Regala Park.