SAN ANTONIO - The Trinity University Softball team opened its season up with a double header against American Southwest Conference foe McMurry University. Trinity dropped both games of the afternoon by scores of 2-0 and 9-3. 

The Tigers offense started slow in game one and was hitless until the third inning. TU stranded five runners on base compared to McMurry's four runners. 

The Rundown: Game One

The Warhawks scored the first run after the first batter of the game drew a walk that later scored due to a throwing error. Despite the error, Trinity only held the Warhawks to one run in the opening frame. Senior infielder Sammie Whitman (Austin, Texas / Lake Travis) walked to start the bottom of the first but the remaining hitters were retired in order. 

The Trinity defense held steady in the second and third innings and kept the McMurry hitters at bay. In the bottom of the third, Whitman recorded Trinity's first hit of the season on a single up the middle then stole second. Unfortunately, the senior infielder was stranded. 

The fourth inning started off with a TU error which eventually came around to score on a RBI single to make the score 2-0 in favor of McMurry. First-year third baseman Maliena Carelli (Kirkland, Wash. / Lake Washington) tallied her first career hit in the sixth of the fourth but the Tigers could not bring her around. 

With just three outs left in game one, first-year Jayla Arenas (Houston, Texas / Dobie) was called upon to pinch hit and delivered with a double in her first collegiate at bat. Unfortunately, the next three batters were retired in order and Trinity fell 2-0 to the Warhawks. Despite getting the loss, Junior pitcher Emery Boettcher (Fredericksburg, TX / Fredericksburg) threw a complete game four hitter and did not give up any earned runs. 

The Rundown: Game Two

Despite giving up two hits in the first inning, First-year pitcher Lanie Smith (Foxfield, Colo. / Regis Jesuit) found her way out of the jam and forced a groundout to escape the inning unscaved. Arenas reached base on a dropped pop fly in the infield and advanced to second after first-year Jessica Lloyd (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. / Trabuco Hills) earned her first hit as a Tiger. Sophomore infielder Marina Delaluna (Concord, CA / Concord) loaded the bases up after reaching on a fielder's choice with only one out. Smith helped herself out and tallied a RBI on a groundout to the first baseman. 

The Warhawks jumped in front in the top of the third inning by scoring two runs on three hits, one error and one walk. Boettcher came in in relief and induced two fly outs to get out of a bases loaded jam. Lloyd and Delaluna both singled in the bottom of the third but were stranded on base to end the inning. 

The Warhawks exploded for five runs in the fourth inning to take a 7-1 lead over Trinity. The Tigers got a run back in the bottom of the same inning to cut the deficit to 7-2. First-year Leah Gonzalez roped a double down the left field line for her first hit as a Tiger and later scored on a single from Lloyd. 

McMurry added one more run in the top of the final frame. Trinity showed some fight and responded with a run of their own. Arenas came in to pinch hit again and doubled to right center. Arenas scored the very next play after senior outfielder Kristina Kish (Tucson, Ariz. / Canyon Del Oro) reached on an error. The Tigers dropped game two 9-3 but picked up seven hits. 

Coach Speak

"I expected better offensively today, '' explained Head Coach Abby Martin. "I know we will toughen up and make quicker adjustments in the future. We have a team full of hitters. We will get the bats rolling and hopefully won't look back."

Up Next

The Tigers will host Pacific Lutheran for a Friday night double header on February 11th. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m. Trinity will also host Whitworth for a paid of non-conference games on Sunday, February 13th.