Second-seeded University of St. Thomas broke open a close game with seven runs over the last two innings to record a 9-1 run-rule victory over Southwestern University on Friday night in the second round of the 2023 SCAC Softball Championship. Official Website | Bracket l Postgame Interview l Photo Gallery | Tournament Stats

HOW IT HAPPENED

• St. Thomas jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead after one inning of play thanks to a wild pitch that scored Jae Simmons. 
• Southwestern tied the game up at 1-1 in the top of the second when Alex Fletes delivered an RBI single through the left side that scorted Tauryn Alexander. 
• The Celts then retook the lead with a run in the bottom of the second on a Delayne Moreno single through the left side.
• St. Thomas pushed the lead to 5-1 in the fifth on a double, a throwing error and a sac fly. The Celts then earned the run-rule victory in the bottom of the sixth with four runs to take the game 9-1.

SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS 

• Tauryn Alexander: 1-3, 1 run score
• Alex Fletes: 1-2, 1 RBI, 
• Brooke Yanta: 1-2, 1 BB
• Erica Otto: 1-2, 1 BB
• Madison Vela: 4.1 IP, 7 hits, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 K, 1 BB

UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Hailey Jackson: 1-3, 1 double, 1 run scored, 1 RBI
• Lindsey Gonzalez: 2-3, 1 run scored, 1 double, 3 RBI
• Delayne Moreno: 3-3, 2 runs scored, 1 triple, 2 RBI
• Adelyn Becerra: 2-2, 2 runs scored, 1 BB
• Allison Hughes: 6.0 IP, 5 hits, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 K, 3 BB

NOTABLES 

• St. Thomas improves to 3-2 all-time in SCAC Softball tournament play, including 2-0 against Southwestern. 
• Southwestern falls to 29-24 all-time in SCAC softball postseason play.   
• The Celts improved to 30-8 on the season.
• The Pirates fell to 21-21 on the year.

UP NEXT

The Celts advance to face Trinity in the winner's bracket, with a spot in the championship round on the line, tomorrow at 3 p.m. Meanwhile, the Pirates move into an elimination game against Centenary at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow.