KERRVILLE, Texas – The University of Dallas softball team battled in three tightly contested games but came up just short in a weekend series against Schreiner University, falling in a trio of competitive matchups on the road.
Despite holding late leads in two of the three contests and outhitting Schreiner in multiple games, the Crusaders (1-7) were unable to close out key moments as Schreiner (7-10) used timely late-inning rallies to secure the sweep.
Game one proved to be a pitcher's duel early, as Kristiana Guerra kept Schreiner off the board through three innings. The Mountaineers broke through in the fourth, but UDallas answered in the sixth when Ava Aleman delivered a clutch two-RBI single to left, scoring Keely Mathis and Kaylee Barajaz to give the Crusaders a 2-1 advantage. Schreiner tied the game in the bottom half of the inning before capitalizing on a late error in the seventh to walk off with a 3-2 victory. Mathis led UDallas with two hits and two stolen bases, while Guerra allowed just four hits across 6.1 innings in the hard-luck loss.
In game two, UDallas struck first in the opening inning as Barajaz singled home Abby Lasley to give the Crusaders an early lead. Schreiner answered immediately and used a three-run fifth inning to pull ahead for good. The Crusaders collected six hits in the contest, including multi-hit efforts from Aliyah Valdez and Lasley, but could not push across another run in the 4-1 defeat. Emma Sherman tossed a complete game in the circle, limiting Schreiner to five hits while working through six innings.
The series finale showcased UDallas' offensive potential, as the Crusaders built a 5-1 lead behind timely extra-base hits. Lasley drove in two with a first-inning double, and Kailey Sweezey added a two-RBI double in the fifth to extend the advantage. Erika Gazalski contributed an RBI single as part of UDallas' 10-hit performance. Schreiner chipped away before erupting for four runs in the seventh inning to complete the comeback and secure a 6-5 win.
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
Abby Lasley: 5-for-11, double, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored
Keely Mathis: 3-for-10, 3 runs scored, 2 stolen bases
Kailey Sweezey: 2-for-7, double, 4 RBI
Erika Gazalski: 5-for-9, RBI, 2 runs scored
NOTABLES
UDallas recorded 22 hits across the three-game series, including 10 hits in the finale.
The Crusaders held late leads in both game one and game three before Schreiner rallied in the final innings.
Guerra delivered a strong outing in game one, allowing just four hits and two earned runs over 6.1 innings.
UDallas had multiple multi-hit performances throughout the weekend, highlighting balanced production throughout the lineup.
Up Next
The Crusaders will look to turn competitive performances into results as they continue their early-season schedule at home next week.
