CONROE, Texas - Colorado School of Mines hung tough with #14 Tarleton State in its season opener, but couldn't capitalize on scoring opportunities in a 3-1 loss at the Scrapyard Softball Complex.
The Orediggers outhit the Texans (1-1) by an 8-4 margin, but couldn't erase a three-run first inning as they stranded eight runners in the game.
Katie Leiker went 3-for-4 to lead Mines at the plate, and freshman
Kendall Murphy had two hits and her first career RBI in the game.
All three of Tarleton State's runs came with two outs in the first inning. The Texans drew four straight walks to get on the board, and Elizabeth Svienty smacked a bases-loaded single to make it a 3-0 game.
Mines kept TSU off the board the rest of the game, but couldn't cash in on runners in scoring position leaving Murphy on third in the first, the bases loaded in the second and fifth, and the tying run at the plate in the seventh. The Orediggers' lone run came in the fifth as
Sam Wade led off with a single, and pinch-runner
Kelsey Buechler scored on Murphy's single up the middle two batters later.
Claire Stringfellow (0-1) exited in the third allowing three earned.
Sydney Marchando pitched four innings of superb relief, striking out eight and walking none on two hits. TSU's Julia Wernet (1-0) earned the win in 4.1 innings of work while Tristan Bridges threw 2.2 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the save.
NOTABLES
- Marchando's eight strikeouts tied her career high, set last year against Black Hills State.
- Mines started two freshmen - Murphy in right and Wade at designated player - while sophomore
Hana Mawlawi earned her first career start at second base.
- Both Murphy and Wade collected their first career hits.
- Senior
Boston Ludlow returned after missing most of 2018 due to injury, and went 1-for-3 to reach 97 career hits.
- Tarleton State was ranked #14 in the NFCA's preseason top-25 poll.
- Mines committed three errors in the game, but recovered from each as the Texans did not score runs off any miscue.
NEXT UP
Mines continues at the tournament on Saturday to play Texas A&M International at 10:30 a.m. Central and Cameron at 1 p.m. Central.
