Trinity University Softball gets ready for the 2024 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships.
The Tigers (29-11) picked up a crucial series sweep against Centenary College. Trinity outscored the Ladies 15-10 and had several fantastic pitching performances over the weekend.
Heather Nugent (Huntington Beach, California / Marina) went a total of 8.2 innings, only allowing two runs, and collecting two saves.
Josephine Koelewyn (Reno, Nevada / Academy for Arts Careers and Technology) logged 4.1 innings in game three, only allowing one run.
Jordan Arce (Thousand Oaks, California / Thousand Oaks) went 7.1 innings and allowed ZERO earned runs while striking out eight.
Jordyn Williams (Clayton, California / Clayton Valley Charter) was efficient at the plate as she hit for a .400 (4-10) average.
Samantha Tagawa (Agoura Hills, California / Agoura) had a great all-around weekend. Tagawa slashed .500/.615/.625 with five RBIs and two stolen bases. With the sweep, the Tigers claimed the second overall seed and a first-round bye.
SCAC Pitcher of the Week - Jordan Arce
For the THIRD time this season, sophomore
Jordan Arce has been selected as the SCAC Pitcher of the Week.
From the SCAC Press Release:
Arce led the Tiger softball team to a weekend series sweep in SCAC action at Centenary, securing the No. 2 seed for the upcoming SCAC Tournament. Arce stepped in the circle for two of the three games in the weekend series, earning a pair of wins during which she allowed just two unearned runs and one hit, while striking out eight batters. Arce went 4.1 innings to earn the win in game one, giving up just two unearned runs and striking out five batters. She came on in relief to pitch 3.0 innings of the series finale, giving up no runs on just one hit to set up Trinity's extra-inning victory.
Preview - SCAC Championships
The Tigers will travel to Seguin for the SCAC Championship. Trinity will await the winner of St. Thomas and Austin College. The Tigers will play on Friday, May 3rd, at 6:30 PM. Texas Lutheran is the top-seeded team, with St. Thomas sitting in third. Southwestern, Centenary, and Austin College claim the final three spots.
On the St. Thomas Celts: The Celts finished the regular season with a 22-12 (15-6 SCAC) overall record. Last time out, the Celts defeated the Tigers two games to one in a thrilling series earlier this year. UST has two of the best hitters in the conference, Chloe Bennett and Rebecca Archibald. Bennett is a power bat who is batting .463 with 13 doubles and four homers. Archibald is a contact hitter who, in conference, is sporting an absurd .597 average and .667 OBP. UST will then lean heavily on the arms of Allison Hughes and Victoria Sossaman, both of whom have ERAs just above 3.00. This has the potential for another great match up. All-time, the Tigers are now 6-11 against the Celts.
On the Austin College Roos: The Roos closed out the 2024 season on a tough three-game losing streak to finish 18-20 (7-14 SCAC) overall. Just a few series ago, Austin College was swept by the Tigers with two of those games ending in a run rule. The AC lineup is scary, however, as six everyday players are hitting over .315 for the season. The caveat to that is that they only have two hitters that can hurt you with power, the rest will bunt and hit singles. The Roo pitching staff has struggled as only one pitcher is under a 5.00 ERA. So, look for the Roos to rely on junior Alexus Johnson to carry them in the circle. With the sweep during the season, the Tigers are 49-7 against Austin College.
Looking Ahead
If the Tigers prevail, they will play on Saturday, May 4th, at 3:00 PM.
