Ozarks Surprises Softball with DH Split
April 22, 2008

The 2nd-ranked University of Texas at Tyler softball team got surprised in game one of Thursday’s doubleheader, as Ozarks took the opener, 2-1. However, the Patriots would rally from 2-1 deficit in the second game to win in nine innings, 3-2.

In game one, the Lady Eagles got things started off in the third inning with an RBI double by first baseman Kaitlyn Poirier. Ozarks would extend their lead to 2-0 when second baseman Cassie Saorrono hit a homerun to lead off the fourth inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, junior Megan Richardson (Platteville, Colo.) answered Ozarks with a homerun of her own to pull within one run. The Patriots would not be able to tie the game and drop just their third contest of the season.

Freshman Kelsey Harrington (Texarkana, Texas) was handed her first loss of the season, as she allowed two runs off of four hits with six strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

In game two, the Patriots would once again fall behind early when Ozarks scored off of a ground out in the first inning.

The Patriots would tie things up in the fifth inning when courtesy runner Courtney Carrizales (Houston, Texas) scored off of a double from sophomore Kara Turner (Troup, Texas).

In the sixth inning, the Lady Eagles would jump back ahead with a homerun from catcher Chelsea Joslin.

UT Tyler would tie the game up in the bottom of the seventh when senior Lindsey Peters (Shreveport, La.) scored off an error by the Ozarks centerfielder and a single from Kara Turner. Peters set up her tying run with a lead-off double.

The game would remain knotted at two, until senior Nicole Willhoite (Conroe, Texas) singled in the bottom of the ninth and allowed Amanda Richardson to score off of an error.

Freshman Kelsey Ainsworth (Mildred, Texas) returned to the rubber for the Patriots for the first time since April 12 to pick up the relief win. Ainsworth showed no rust in allowing no runs on just one hit over 1.1 innings with one strikeout.

The Patriots are now 35-3 on the season and 19-3 in the American Southwest Conference, while Ozarks is 14-24 overall and 7-15 in conference action. With the loss in game one, UT Tyler is now tied with Louisiana College for the lead in the ASC East.

UT Tyler returns to the Ballpark on Saturday for their home finale when they take on 5th-ranked Louisiana College. The conference doubleheader will decide the regular-season Division title and determine seeding in the upcoming ASC tournament, for which both teams have already qualified. First pitch is scheduled for 1p.m.

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