Seven-run second inning not enough for LCU in loss ato LSUA at RRAC tourney

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Louisiana Christian University softball team exploded for seven runs in the second inning in its Red River Athletic Conference Championship Tournament-opening contest against LSU Alexandria but could muster nothing more.

The Generals pulled the score back and the Wildcats dropped the contest 12-7 Friday morning at The Park at St. Mary’s University.

After a clean first inning as both teams stranded a runner at second base, the Generals jumped out first by scoring twice in the top of the second for a 2-0 lead.

But that’s where the Wildcats found its bats and it started almost immediately as Kayla Dauthier led off the bottom of the second with a no-doubt home run to left to instantly cut the deficit in half. Now with one out, Jordan Dauthier did not want to be outdone by her older sister and she launched a hit to dead center that bounced off the top of the wall and over for another solo shot to tie the score. That was followed by back-to-back base hits by BreAnna Corkern and Lexie Marks and a walk to Emma Hunt to load the bases with one out. With two away, Olivia Coaker drew ball four to force home Corkern. Desiree Squires then came up with another big hit, a bases clearing triple into the left field corner, scoring Marks, Hunt, and Coaker. Squires eventually came home on an error by the LSUA shortstop, putting the Wildcats up 7-2.

However, the slow turn started in the top of the third as LSUA tacked on two runs to cut the lead to 7-4. LCU had a chance to stem the tide a bit following a lead-off double by Jordan Dauthier in the bottom of the third, but the inning would end with two runners, including Dauthier, left in scoring position. From there, the Wildcat bats went silent while LSUA scored four in the fifth inning to take the lead, 8-7. With the innings winding down, the Generals scored four more in the top of the seventh for the game’s final runs.

Both of Jordan Dauthier’s hits went for extra bases, hitting a double along with her fourth home run of the season in her three at bats in the game. Her home run accounted for both her lone RBI and run scored in the contest. Desiree Squires went two-for-four with a triple, three RBI, and a run scored. Kayla Dauthier went one-for-four with her fifth home run of the season accounting for her lone RBI and run scored in the game. Olivia Coaker picked up the team’s lone other RBI in the game.

Miah Broussard (6-5) came on in relief in the fourth inning and finished out the final 3.1 innings, allowing 11 hits and eight runs, six earned, no walks and one strikeout. Bailey McMillian threw the first 3.2 innings and allowed seven hits and four runs, all earned, with four walks and one strikeout.

The Wildcats (27-21) now must try to fight through the elimination bracket to keep their season alive. That trek starts Saturday morning with another match-up against Huston-Tillotson. First pitch of Saturday’s elimination game against the Rams (19-22) is set for 10:00 A.M. at The Park at St. Mary’s with the winner advancing to another contest at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday.