LAREDO, Texas — A heartbreaking walk-off defeat in the finale ended a tough doubleheader sweep for the Newman softball team as it opened up Heartland Conference play Friday afternoon at Texas A&M International.
GAME 1
Key Sequence
The Jets (2-11, 0-2 Heartland) had tied things up the inning before, but the Dustdevils (5-15, 2-0 Heartland) put up a crooked number in the bottom of the third, scoring eight runs on seven hits and an error to force a 9-1 run-rule victory.
How it Happened
-An RBI double in the bottom of the first got TAMIU on board first, but Newman got things going in the second, starting with a double to left from Emma Eck. A pop-up right after made it two outs, but fellow freshman Paige Wallace singled after working the count to drive Eck in and tie it at 1-1.
-An error started the big bottom of the third, but the real damage was done when the Dustdevils recorded five straight hits with two outs, including four doubles, to take it from a 3-1 lead to an eight-run advantage.
-The Jets got a runner on with a hit in each of the next two innings, but it wouldn't be enough to extend the game, as TAMIU took the first game of the Heartland season.
GAME 2
Key Sequence
It was a smaller number, but the bottom of the seventh in the nightcap may have been even more frustrating than the eight-spot in Game 1. That's because Brandi Giles led off with a home run to tie it, and Maddison Schofield doubled to right center with two outs to drive in the winning run and earn the walk-off win.
How It Happened
-Newman didn't get much going through the first five innings, getting only a walk and an error as the Dustdevils built a 3-0 lead on six hits. The top of the sixth changed things around though, as the Jets pushed four runs across to take the lead.
-Adrienne Esposito led off with an infield single, Delaney Hiegert walked, and Erin Jankiewicz singled before an error allowed both runners to score. A few batters later, Lacey Colvin came up in a pinch-hit spot with two outs, and smacked a single to right to drive in the tying and go-ahead runs.
-By that time, starting pitcher Bailey Bugner had settled in, retiring seven straight. An infield single started the bottom of the sixth for the Dustdevils, but Bugner calmly got the next three batters to head to the seventh.
NOTES
-Esposito managed a 2-for-2 game in the finale, adding a sac bunt along the way. The junior also had a hit in the first game, going 1-for-2.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Jets continue their swing through southern Texas with another doubleheader at St. Mary's Saturday afternoon.
