WICHITA, Kan. — The Newman softball team fell in both games of the doubleheader Wednesday afternoon (Mar. 27) against Texas A&M International dropping game one 7-3 and losing game two 6-0. The Jets fall to 8-20 on the season and drop to 2-15 in Heartland Conference play, while the Dustdevils improve to 16-21 on the year and move to 10-9 in the Heartland.
GAME 1
The Dustdevils drew first blood in the first at-bat on a solo-shot homerun. Lauren Kuhrt led off the bottom of the first with a triple to right field, however the very next batter the Jets rally was ended on a popup double play.
The Jets looked to be threatening again in the second after Emma Eck laced a 1-out single down the right field line, but again another mistake on the bases paths killed the rally as Eck was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double.
In the third inning, TAMIU tacked on three more runs extending their lead to 4-0. Nine hole hitter, Shanda Cox sparked the Jets offense in the home half with a leadoff bunt single. Katherine Stanford continued the charge reaching base via one of the Dustdevils three errors. After a Stanford steal, Paige Wallace drove home the Jets first runs of the game with a double to right center scoring Cox and Stanford. Senior, Emma Eck capped off the three-run inning with an RBI 2-out single to center scoring Wallace trimming the deficit to one, 4-3.
After three straight scoreless innings, the Dustdevils put the game out of reach scoring three straight runs in the seventh.
Emma Eck finished 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Paige Wallace concluded her day with a 1-for-4 performance while driving in a pair of RBI's.
Chantel Purcella (3-6) took the loss after surrendering seven runs (five earned) on 13 hits over 7.0-innings, while fanning seven Dustdevils.
GAME 2
Texas A&M International put the nightcap away quickly with a run in the fourth, two in the fifth, one in the sixth and two in the seventh. Once again, the Jets base running hurt numerous of scoring chances.
Dominique Payne (3-7) held the Dustdevils to zero hits through the first three innings before giving up six runs (two-earned) on eight hits while striking out three and allowing one walk in 6.2-innings of work.
Katherine Stanford and Lacey Colvin each recorded 2-for-3 performances at the dish leading the way for the Jets.
The Jets will look to end a five game skid beginning on Friday (Mar. 29) against conference opponent Oklahoma Christian. First pitch between the Jets and Eagles is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. from the NU Softball Field in Wichita, Kan.
