Mary Ellen Leisering, Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations – Houston Baptist University (Photo Courtesy of HBU Athletics)
HOUSTON – HBU scored six runs in the bottom of the first and went on from there to defeat visiting Texas Southern, 14-6, in five innings Tuesday afternoon at Husky Field.
Lauren Schwirtlich and Shay Orsak combined to go 5-for-7 with seven RBI for HBU (4-6), as L. Schwirtlich went 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored, and Orsak went 2-for-4 with four RBI and one run scored.
Kendall Stiefel started in the circle and took the no-decision, as she allowed two hits, five runs, and three walks in 1.0+ inning. Emily Mueller pitched the final 4.0 innings and earned her third win of the season, as she allowed four hits, one run, and one walk, with three strikeouts.
Sammantha Jimenez went 2-for-3 at the plate for Texas Southern (3-3). Gisella Paranich had two RBI for the Lady Tigers.
Starter Brianna Bryant took the loss, as she gave up five hits, four runs, and one walk in just one-third of an inning. Jimenez came on in relief of Bryant allowed three hits, four runs, and one walk with one strikeout in just one-third of an inning. Alaina Stubblefield pitched the final 2.1 innings and gave up four hits, three runs, and four walks.
Kirsten Schwirtlich started the scoring with an RBI double to left-center. She later scored on an RBI double by Melissa Herman. Herman later scored on an illegal pitch and Victoria Granchelli scored on a wild pitch to give the Huskies a 4-0 lead. L. Schwirtlich singled and advanced to second on a throwing error. Schwirtlich’s hit scored Cecilia Bauer, while the error brought home Kay Schroeder unearned to give the Huskies a 6-0 lead after one inning.
TSU cut the deficit to one with a five-run top of the second. Paranich had a two-run single for the Lady Tigers to highlight the inning.
In the bottom of the second, K. Schwirtlich advanced to third on a groundout, then scored on a throwing error to give the Huskies a 7-5 lead.
The Huskies scored four times in the bottom of the third to lead TSU, 11-5. L. Schwirtlich and Orsak had back-to-back doubles that accounted for three RBI. Orsak had two more RBI on another double in the bottom of the fourth to lead TSU, 13-5.
After TSU scored a run in the top of the fifth, the Huskies ended the game with an RBI single by Holly Webb that scored Bauer.
HBU will compete in the UTEP Tournament this weekend, playing New Mexico State and the host Miners twice in the tournament.
