XULA collects 13 hits, 6 for extra bases, to tame Lyon

TEXARKANA, Texas — Xavier University of Louisiana produced the best offensive numbers of its debut softball season in a 9-7 victory Saturday against Lyon in the Eagle Classic.

XULA (2-1) collected 13 hits, six for extra bases, and freshman shortstop Tamia Washington homered for the second consecutive game. XULA scored its first-ever first-inning runs — three — then took the lead for good with a five-run fourth that featured four extra-base hits.

“I impressed upon our players the need to start quickly,” XULA head coach Leslie Ballard said. “This is college softball. Anything can happen. We can’t afford to let up offensively.”

Kassidy Moore had three hits, including XULA’s first-ever triple. Washington, Mecolett Bradley and Alyssa Barajas had two hits apiece. Washington had three RBIs, and winning pitcher Destyn Jones had two.

Jones, Bradley, Barajas and Brittany Ensley hit doubles. Bradley’s two-out double in the fourth scored Moore, who had tripled, and put XULA ahead to stay at 6-5.

XULA is 8-of-8 in stolen-base attempts this season and swiped two Saturday.

Madison Sansom’s three-run double was the highlight of Lyon’s five-run third inning. Lyon added runs in the fifth and seventh innings. Jasmine Carlos grounded out to Washington to end the game.

Jones (2-0) pitched the final four innings, allowing two hits and one earned run.

XULA’s final game of this event, against Texas A&M-Texarkana, was canceled because of rain. The start of the Lyon game was moved up to 8 a.m to avoid wet weather.

“I’m so proud and pumped about what we did in this tournament,” Ballard said. “I’m a proud mama, a proud coach to see these good results so soon.”

Lyon (2-1) was among “others receiving votes” — 34th place — in the NAIA preseason coaches poll. The Scots defeated XULA 9-6 Friday.

Next for XULA is its home debut — a 3 p.m. Thursday doubleheader against Bethel (Tenn.) at the softball facility at Wesley Barrow Stadium. Bethel will open its season Wednesday in a doubleheader at NAIA No. 12 William Carey.