AUSTIN, Texas — A one-run lead after one inning went two different directions for the Newman softball team, which split a doubleheader to close its first Heartland Conference series of the season Saturday against St. Edward's.
The Jets (6-14, 1-2 Heartland) saw Taylor Mannis reach base from her lead-off spot in both games against the Hilltoppers (14-10, 4-2 Heartland), and come around to score on both occasions to give the guests an early 1-0 lead. St. Edward's responded to win Game 1, 8-1, but the Jets kept up the pitching and solid defense for a 2-0 win in the nightcap.
Holding on to that advantage in the second game of the day earned the Jets their first conference victory of the season. Mannis chopped a single up the middle to get things started, bumped up to second on a groundout and to third when Courtney Sartin singled. A fielder's choice from Alyssa Taylor pushed her home and put the Jets up 1-0.
It didn't take long for SEU to start pushing that slim lead though, getting a single in the bottom half of the inning that was erased on a double play and then leaving the bases loaded after three singles in the second. Newman pitcher Kate Smith worked a strike out and a flyout with the bases juiced to hold on to the 1-0 lead.
That was the Hilltopper's biggest chance of the game, and when Mannis' single in the top of the seventh plated Rachael Withers to make it 2-0, the hosts needed twice the scoring. They picked up a single in their last chance in the seventh, but that runner was stranded at second as the Jets picked up the win.
Smith allowed just three hits over the final four innings, and retired 15 of the last 17 batters she faced while earning her second complete-game win of the year. She walked none and had one strikeout.
The Jets got out to an early lead in the first game as well thanks to the top of their lineup, as Mannis led off the game with a walk and moved up to second on a Mikayla Medberry groundout. After another out, Taylor singled to drive Mannis home for the first run of the contest.
After getting through a quick bottom of the first and holding the lead a bit longer, Newman saw St. Edward's push across seven runs in the second inning to move in front. With the Hilltoppers tacking on a run in the fifth, the Jets threatened in the next half inning, as Delaney Hiegert singled to start things off and Medbery followed by skipping a single up the middle, but Hiegert was cut down trying to score on a fly ball to end the scoring chance.
Mannis was 2-for-4 in the second game, and Withers was 2-for-3. Medbery picked up a hit in each game.
The Jets are back in action Wednesday, making their home debut this season in a 3 p.m. doubleheader against Rockhurst.
