MEMPHIS-Christian Brothers University senior outfielder
Jennifer Gonzalez (Covina, Calif., Charter Oak HS) drove in five runs to break the school record with 92 career RBI, but visiting Southern Arkansas hit seven home runs as they swept a doubleheader from the Lady Bucs Wednesday afternoon.
GAME 1:WHAT HAPPENED:Southern Arkansas (21-18) hit four home runs as they claimed an 11-5 win over the Lady Bucs.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• SAU scored three runs in the top of the first on a two-run homer by Ashton Atwell, and Maddie Dow followed with a solo home run.
• CBU (9-32) pulled within a run in the bottom of the inning.
Jennifer Gonzalez (Covina, Calif./Charter Oak HS) blasted a one-out solo homer to left.
Gabrielle Sereika (Rochester, N.Y./Aquinas Institute) worked a two-out walk, and pinch-runner
Alana Byrd (Jackson, Tenn./Liberty Magnet HS) came around to score on back-to-back singles by
Lauren Provence (Millington, Tenn./Briarcrest Christian HS) and
Amy Gracia (Fontana, Calif./International Polytechnic HS).
• The Lady Muleriders added two more runs in the top of the second on a double and two singles.
• SAU added three more in the top of the fifth. Atwell led off with another homer, and a walk and three singles led to two more runs.
• The Lady Bucs scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Leigh Ward (Oriental, N.C./Pamlico HS) legged out a bunt single, and Gonzalez blasted a two-run homer to right-center.
• The Lady Muleriders added to their lead when Leigha Doyle hit a three-run homer in the top of the seventh.
• CBU set the final margin with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Ward drew a leadoff walk,
Holly Oyhenart (Menifee, Calif./Paloma Valley HS) singled and Gonzalez was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Taylor Rosa-Ramon (Ewa Beach, Hawaii/James Campbell HS) hit a sacrifice fly to score Ward.
KEY STATS:• Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with two homers, two runs and three RBI.
• Ward was 1-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored.
GAME 2:WHAT HAPPENED:SAU scored multiple runs in four of the last five innings as they pulled away for a 14-5 win in game two.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• SAU scored a run in the top of the second on two walks and a single.
• The Lady Muleriders extended their lead to three runs in the third when Atwell hit a two-run homer.
• SAU added two more in the top of the fourth on a walk and two singles.
• The Lady Muleriders added four more to their lead in the top of the fifth on two-run homers by Doyle and Sarah Higginbotham.
• CBU answered with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Provence led off the inning with a pinch-hit homer. Ward and Oyhenart followed with singles before Gonzalez hit a two-run double to right-center. Steagall singled Gonzalez to third, and Rosa-Ramon drove her in with a sacrifice fly.
• The Lady Bucs shaved a run off the deficit in the sixth inning. Provence singled, and a walk to Ward and a Gonzalez single loaded the bases. Rosa-Ramon was hit by a pitch to bring CBU within four runs.
• SAU scored five runs in the top of the seventh to set the final margin, converting on a walk, three singles, two doubles and an error.
KEY STATS:• Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with a double, a run and two RBI.
• Oyhenart was 2-for-4 with a run.
• Rosa-Ramon went 1-for-1 with two hit by pitches and two RBI.
• Provence went 2-for-2 with a run and one RBI.
• Ward went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run scored.
NOTABLE:• With two homers, Gonzalez moved into a tie with Kathleen Nelson (2011) for the school record for home runs in a season. With 15 career homers, she trails Nelson (2008-11) by one on the career home run list.
• With her five RBI, Gonzalez passed Casey King (90, 2008-11) atop the school record book for career RBI.
WHAT'S NEXT:The Lady Bucs return to action this weekend as they host No. 13 Alabama-Huntsville for a GSC series. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 2 p.m., with a single game set for noon Sunday.
