Photo GalleryHOUSTON – HBU led 2-0 early, but Texas A&M-Corpus Christi scored four runs in the top of the sixth to take the series finale from the Huskies, 5-2, Sunday afternoon in the final regular season game.
Kirsten Schwirtlich went 3-for-4 with one RBI and a run scored for HBU (21-26 overall, 14-13 SLC), while
Shay Orsak and
Holly Webb each had two hits.
Kendall Stiefel (5-10) started in the circle and allowed five hits, four runs (three earned), and one walk with two strikeouts in 5.2 innings.
Shannon O'Connor tossed the final 1.1 inning and allowed three hits, one run, and one walk.
Valerie Perez and Jamise Jackson each had two hits for TAMUCC (16-36 overall, 11-15 SLC). Pinch hitter Brittany Morse had the big hit for the Islanders, as she went 1-for-1 with three RBI and one run scored. Liz Carter (13-18) earned the complete-game win in the circle, as she allowed nine hits and two runs (one earned) with four strikeouts.
HBU scored all of its runs in the bottom of the first, as Orsak hit a one-out double, then scored on K. Schwirtlich's triple. Schwirtlich was able to score on a throwing error as the Huskies led, 2-0.
The Islanders cut the deficit in half, despite not registering a hit, in the top of the second. Laura Phillips drew a two-out walk, then advanced to second on an illegal pitch. That proved critical, as she was able to score on a Huskies' error.
The score remained 2-1 until the Islanders scored four times in the top of the sixth. Phillips hit an RBI single to tie the game at 2-2. With two outs and runners at the corners, O'Connor relieved Stiefel, but gave up a pinch hit three-run home run to left-center field to Morse to give the Islanders a 5-2 lead.
The Huskies threatened in the bottom of the seventh, with the tying run at the plate and runners at first and second, but the Islanders got a fielder's choice and a ground out to end the game.
HBU, seeded fifth in the upcoming Southland Conference Tournament, will play fourth-seed Stephen F. Austin Thursday, May 8 at 11 am in Hammond, La.
