AUSTIN, Texas – Top-seeded Texas Lutheran rode the momentum of a three-run second inning and a solo blast off the bat of Serena Gonzalez in the third to secure a 4-2 win over McMurry in second round play at the 2025 SCAC Softball Tournament. Official Website | Bracket l Photo Gallery | Tournament Stats
The Bulldogs secured the win nearly 24 hours following the first pitch which began Friday afternoon before being halted due to weather and resumed Saturday morning.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- McMurry jumped out to a 2-0 lead after Sabrina Graf drove in Elaina Herrera in the top of the first and a Samantha Gonzales bunt single scored Kami Owen in the second.
- TLU got on the board and cut the lead in half in the bottom half of the second when Harleigh Russell doubled to left center to plate Riley Futrell.
- The Bulldogs took the lead before closing out the second when Taylor Vannett roped a two RBI single in the middle to score Russell and Chesley Swisher to give TLU a 3-2 lead prior to the halting of the game due to weather.
- Following a weather delay that lasted overnight, TLU doubled its lead when Gonzalez blasted her 11th home run of the season in the bottom of the third.
- McMurry pressed to mount a comeback and left the bases loaded in the fourth but where unable to scratch a run across and TLU’s Ainsely Davis went 5.2 innings, allowing just three hits to get the win.
- The War Hawks out hit TLU, 9-5.
TEXAS LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Serena Gonzalez: 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 HR, 1 Run, 1 Double
- Harleigh Russell: 1-2, 2, SB, 1 RBI, 1 Run, 1 BB, 1 double
- Taylor Vannett: 1-3, 2 RBI, 1 SB
- Ainsley Davis: 5.2 IP, 3 hits, 2 Ks, 0 runs
MCMURRY UNIVERSITY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Elaina Herrera: 3-4, 1 run
- Sabrina Graf: 1-3, 1 RBI
- Samantha Gonzales: 1-3, 1 RBI
- Thalia Reyes: 6.0 IP, 5 hits, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
NOTABLES
- The War Hawks out hit TLU, 9-5.
- TLU improves to 30-3 all-time in SCAC Tournament action.
- McMurry falls to 16-18 on the season.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs now move on to face the winner of game four between St. Thomas and Trinity, later today at 6:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the War Hawks move into an elimination game against Centenary College at 1:30 p.m. CT.
