SAN ANTONIO – The Tiger softball team was swept in a non-conference doubleheader at home against Whitworth University on Sunday afternoon, falling 5-3 in the opener and 15-3 in the finale. Trinity falls to 0-6 to start the 2022 season.

Jessica Lloyd (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. / Trabuco Hills) had two hits in the opening game and a single in the second, extending her hitting streak to five games. Marina Delaluna (Concord, Calif. / Concord) also had hits in each game for the Tigers, while Jordyn Williams (Clayton, Calif. / Valley Charter) had a pair of doubles on the day.

Cat Patterson (West Columbia, Texas / Brazosport Christian School) struck out a career-high six batters in a complete-game effort in game one, but suffered the loss and fell 0-2 on the season. Emery Boettcher (Fredericksburg, Texas / Fredericksburg) also dropped to 0-2 on the year after taking the loss in game two.

GAME 1 RUNDOWN

Whitworth got the scoring started with a run in the top of the first inning, but Trinity threw out a runner at the plate as well to keep it 1-0. The Tigers also loaded the bases with the first three batters in the bottom of the inning, but stranded all three runners.

The Pirates put up four runs in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead and looked to be in control of the game. Trinity got things going in the sixth as Lloyd led off with a single up the middle. Madison Horn (Schertz, Texas / Clemens) pinch-ran for her and moved to second on Delaluna's single through the left side of the infield. Both players advanced on a wild pitch, then Horn took home on a throwing error to break up the shutout. Delaluna was stranded on second, though, and the score remained 5-1.

Patterson got Whitworth out in order in the top of the seventh, keeping the Tigers in striking distance for the final half-inning. Williams led off with a double off the wall in right-center and Trinity was in business. Sydney Watson (San Antonio, Texas / San Antonio Christian) came on as a pinch-runner, moved to third on a wild pitch, then scored on a fielding error at third base to make it 5-2.

Brianna Pena (La Porte, Texas / La Porte) reached on that error and moved up to second when Sammie Whitman (Austin, Texas / Lake Travis) walked with one out in the inning. Both runners moved up on a passed ball, then Pena scored on a wild pitch to make it a 5-3 game. Whitworth then got the next two batters out to end the rally and take game one.

GAME 2 RUNDOWN

Whitworth drew four straight walks to open the top of the first of game two, getting on the board without a hit. The Pirates wound up scoring five runs on three hits and the four walks, taking a 5-0 lead early.

Three more hits in the second plated four more runs for the visitors, increasing the lead to 9-0 after two innings. Whitworth got two more runs on two walks and two hits to start the third inning, but the Tigers escaped more damage after stranding the bases loaded to keep it 11-0.

Trinity's bats came to life in the bottom of the third as Whitman and Delaluna both collected RBI singles to make it an 11-2 game. Lloyd came around to score on a passed ball and the score moved to 11-3 after three innings.

Whitworth answered with four runs in the fourth to account for the final score and kept the run-rule safely in effect. The Tigers had a runner on base in both the fourth and fifth innings, but failed to score and extend the game.

UP NEXT

After six home games to start the year, Trinity will be on the road next weekend for a pair of games. The Tigers will face Concordia (TX) University in a JV contest on Saturday, February 19, in Alpine, Texas. Trinity then faces Sul Ross State University in another JV game after that. Trinity will also play Sul Ross on Sunday, February 20, for a regular doubleheader that starts at noon.