Austin College Tops Schreiner in Series Opener

DENISON, Texas - The Austin College softball team utilized a five-run third inning and a flawless performance at the plate from Tori Fowler to defeat Schreiner University 8-6 on Friday evening at Texoma Health Foundation Park. With the victory, Austin College improves to 8-20 overall and 6-18 in conference play, while Schreiner falls to 10-22 and 7-15.

Trailing 3-1 entering the bottom of the third, the 'Roos offense erupted to take the lead for good. Skyler Vickers sparked the rally with a leadoff double and Fowler followed with a bunt single. After Emma Freiermuht was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Cheyenne Fields delivered a two-run double to right-center to tie the game. Tessa Contreras subsequently plated Freiermuht with an RBI groundout, and Jillian Kelly and Emily Autrey followed with RBI hits to give Austin College a 6-3 advantage.

Fowler was a constant catalyst for Austin College from the leadoff spot, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored, a walk, and three stolen bases. Fields led the team with three runs batted in, while Lauren Trott went 2-for-4 and provided a crucial insurance run with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning to score Fowler.

Zoey Harrell earned the win in the circle for the 'Roos, pitching 4.1 innings while allowing three earned runs on five hits. McKinley Hankins secured her first save of the season with a strong relief appearance, tossing 2.2 innings, scattering just one hit and striking out two without allowing an earned run to close out the game.

Schreiner put up a persistent fight and briefly held the lead after a three-run top of the third inning. Romy Nunez paced the Mountaineers offensively, going 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs, which included a two-run single in the fifth inning that cut the Austin College lead to 7-5. Zoe Salinas contributed two hits and two RBIs, and Isabel Moreno tripled and drove in a run while scoring once.

Anyssia Mendoza took the loss for Schreiner, giving up five earned runs in 2.2 innings before giving way to Celina Marchan. Marchan allowed one earned run over the final 3.1 innings.