CLERMONT, Fla.—The University of Texas at Tyler Softball (12-1) dropped their first game of the season and first of a four-game trip to NCAA Division II opponent Florida to Georgian Court University (12-3) by a score of 7-6.
Georgian Court to the lead in the bottom of the first inning, but neither team would score again until the bottom of the fourth. The Lions went up, 2-0, before UT Tyler took the lead in the top of the fifth inning.
The Patriots batted around in the inning with three runs coming around to score. Sophomore catcher
Ashley Perez (Pflugerville, Texas) sent a double into right field with the bases loaded to tie the game at two runs. Senior infielder
Theresa Gonzales (Elgin, Texas) followed with a single to put the team ahead, 3-2.
Adding two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, the Lions regained the lead and went up 6-2 after six full innings. UT Tyler had a final chance to add some runs in the top of the seventh inning. Senior infielder
Victoria Gonzales (Elgin, Texas) doubled to center field to lead off the inning, but the next two batters grounded out. Senior infielder
Serena Saldivar (Garland, Texas) gave the Patriots a chance with a two-run homerun to right field. Her third of the season pulled the Patriots within one, 7-6.
With two outs, the next three UT Tyler batters were all hit by pitches to load the bases. The Lions managed to get out of the jam and seal a 7-6 victory.
Three Patriots recorded multiple hits including Saldivar,
Theresa Gonzales, and Sophomore infielder
Mak Dominguez (Austin, Texas) Saldivar along with Perez both led the team with a pair of RBI's. Senior left-handed pitcher
Colleen Bentke (Brenham, Texas) got the start and pitched the first 4.2 innings. She struck out three batters but surrendered four runs to take her first loss of the season. Junior right-hander
Miranda Leal (San Antonio, Texas) came into the circle for the final 1.1 inning of work.
The Patriots will return to action on Saturday with a single game against NCAA Division II opponent Augustana University at 5 p.m. (CST).