SOFTBALL: Seahawks take two 1-run wins over Coastal Bend
Published 10:13 pm Friday, April 20, 2018
BEEVILLE — Lamar State College Port Arthur had a glimmer of hope left for its softball season but no more room for defeat.
The Seahawks began Friday’s doubleheader trailing Coastal Bend College and Alvin Community College by four games in the Region XIV South Zone with four left in the regular season. The margin between Lamar State and Coastal Bend has now been cut in half thanks to the Seahawks’ 4-3 and 7-6 wins over the Cougars in Beeville.
Alvin, however, could clinch a playoff berth with just one win against San Jacinto College-South, ending Lamar State’s hopes. The top four teams in each zone (East and South) will play in the Region XIV tournament Lamar State will host May 4-7. The Seahawks (15-27, 7-15 zone) had 10 hits — by nine different players — in the first game and overcame a 2-1 deficit through three innings. Olivia Rivera went 2 for 3 (both doubles) to lead the Seahawks.
Morgan Chavarria, Regan Dowers, Taylor Frederick, Julie French, Makenzi Maloy, Kaitlyn Stebelton, Briana White and Marisol Ynfante also connected, with Chavarria, Frederick and White also driving in a run each. White allowed two earned runs on five hits in a complete-game win.
Lamar State broke a 5-5 tie with two runs in the seventh inning of Game 2. Maloy doubled to right field to score Chavarria and Rivera.
Kelsey Stewart, Stebelton (three RBI), White, Ynfante and Chavarria each lined two hits, with Regan Dowers, Maloy (two RBI) and Rivera hitting one apiece. Stewart was credited with the win striking out nine but allowing 11 hits in five innings. White gave up four hits and three earned runs in the final two innings.
The Seahawks will close the regular season Saturday at Laredo Community College. The two-game set begins at 1 p.m.