SHERMAN, Texas – The University of Dallas softball team showed offensive growth throughout the weekend, highlighted by a strong extra-inning victory in the finale, earning a split in its day 2 double header of a three-game series against Austin College at Sherman High School.

UDallas (1-4) totaled 10 runs on 22 hits across the series, capped by a 13-hit performance in game three. Austin (3-5) used timely extra-base hits and productive middle innings to claim the first two contests before the Crusaders responded with a statement win to close the weekend.

In game one, Dallas evened the score in the third inning behind RBI singles from Aliyah Valdez and Abby Lasley after Austin took a 2-0 lead. Lasley added another RBI in the fifth as the Crusaders trimmed the deficit to 5-3. Austin, however, answered with four runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to secure an 11-3 victory. Valdez finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Kaylee Barajaz doubled and scored.

Game two saw the Kangaroos build an early cushion with a two-run first and four-run second inning. Dallas plated its lone run in the third when Kaylee Barajaz scored on a throwing error. Keely Mathis recorded a hit, and MacKenzie Flocke added a base knock, but Austin pulled away late for a 9-1 decision.

In Sunday's finale, the Crusaders delivered their strongest showing of the weekend. After trailing 1-0, Dallas erupted for three runs in the third, highlighted by RBI singles from Mathis and Lasley. Austin answered to tie the game at 3-3, but the Crusaders broke through in the eighth inning. Valdez singled home the go-ahead run before Mathis delivered a two-run single to extend the lead. Kristiana Guerra went the distance in the circle, tossing eight innings while allowing just two earned runs and striking out seven in a 6-3 victory.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS

Aliyah Valdez: 5-for-11, 2B, 2 RBI, R
Keely Mathis: 5-for-11, 2 RBI, R
Abby Lasley: 3-for-10, 3 RBI

NOTABLES

UDallas collected 13 hits in game three after totaling nine combined in the first two contests.

Guerra threw a complete-game eight-inning victory in the finale, striking out seven without issuing a walk.

Erika Gazalski scored twice and added two hits in Sunday's win.

Dallas recorded multiple multi-hit performances in the series finale.

Up Next

UDallas will look to build momentum following its first win of the season as the Crusaders continue their early conference schedule next weekend.