Softball drops pair at OLLU

Poovey, Doyle collect hits in opener

Home opener set for Feb. 24-25 vs Langston

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- On a very cool Saturday afternoon in the River City, the flow of hits and runs by Southwestern Assemblies of God University women’s softball team wouldn’t fill up a creek.

Our Lady of the Lake University took both ends of a doubleheader behind splendid pitching performances, 8-0 and 9-1, at their campus ballpark. The Lady Saints, who went 26-20 during their first season a year ago, got off to a solid start to the new season at 2-0.

After splitting a pair at Hillsdale College last weekend, losing 3-2 before winning 5-1, the Lady Lions record dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the Red River Athletic Conference.

Game One Summary

In the opener, SAGU managed two hits, both in the first inning, against freshman Maegan Ramirez.

Third baseman Kasey Poovey (Nevada, Tx / Community HS) ripped a two out single past the shortstop. She advanced to second when catcher Chelsey Doyle (Seattle, Wash / Shorecrest HS) lined a smash hit to left. The potential rally died when Poovey was out after rounding second on a throw from the Halos shortstop, Ashley Elizalde.

Leadoff batter Alissa Huerta greeted SAGU starter Lauren Johnson (Waxahachie, Tx / Waxahachie HS) with a triple to centerfield. She trotted home on a wild pitch to give Our Lady the only run they would need. They tacked on four more runs in the third before a three-spot in the fourth frame stretched their lead to 8-0.

Needing to score to prolong the game, SAGU went down 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth, the last two on strikes. The Saints outhit Southwestern by a 9-2 count, and played without an error. SAGU committed two miscues.

Head Coach Tim Grant started a line-up of Theresa Ballard (Austin, Tx / Homeschool) at 2nd Base; co-captain Kyla Burke (Red Oak, Tx / Red Oak HS) at shortstop; Poovey at 3rd base; Doyle at catcher; Iliana Jimenez (Crystal City, Tx / Crystal City HS) at leftfield; co-captain Cassandra Mata (Crystal City, Tx / Crystal HS) at centerfield; Kelsea Svochak (Ft. Worth, Tx / Bethesda Christian HS) at 1st Base; Albreshia Lawrence (Waxahachie, Tx / Waxahachie HS) in rightfield; Tabitha Ray (Brazoria, Tx / Homeschool) as the Designated Hitter; and Johnson at pitcher.

Game Two Summary

In the nightcap, Kailyn Miller and Shelby Blanar combined to hurl a no-hitter in a 9-1 win by Our Lady.

The Lady Lions scored first and held the lead until the bottom of the second.

Ballard reached first on a base-on-balls, then advanced on a sacrifice to center off the bat of Burke. After a wild pitch moved Ballard to third, she scored a hot grounder to first by Poovey.

The Blue Halos took a commanding lead with five runs in the second, then complete control with a four-spot in the third.

Svochak pitched into the third, yielding five earned runs. She was relieved by Ray and Johnson, with Ray surrendering four runs.

While being no-hit was disappointing, it didn’t keep the Purple Pride from threatening to score.

Shortstop Shannen Davis (Kremlin, Okla / Kremlin-Hillsdale HS) got on board thanks to a throwing error by OLLU’s Elizalde. Bre (BREE) Lawrence followed with a one-out walk had the ‘Cats looking to go on top 2-0.

The San Antone Saints went to Blanar for relief. And she spelled it quickly by striking out both Ray and Ballard swinging.

Blanar then retired the next six batters, giving her eight-in-a-row heading into the fifth.

The speedy Lawrence eyed her way to first with a walk. Svochak fanned before a sacrifice bunt by Ballard moved Lawrence into scoring position with one out. Burke’s hot shot up the middle was gloved by Blanar to end the game.

The Lady Lions left four runners on base in the game. OLLU rapped out 11 base hits in a game that took ninety minutes to play in front of an estimated crowd of 250.

SAGU’s defensive line-up had Ballard at 2nd Base; Burke catching; Poovey at 1st Base; Doyle on the hot corner (3rd); Jimenez playing leftfield; Mata in centerfield; Davis at short; Lawrence in rightfield; Ray as the Designated Player and Svochak as the starting pitcher.

The teams had a planned game on Friday. It was cancelled due to field conditions following several days of rain.

On Deck: Home debut vs Langston Lions 

Southwestern is off this week before opening their new on-campus softball park in a three-game series against Langston University on Friday and Saturday, February 24-25.

The new field, which is currently undergoing the finishing touches in its construction, will have an outfield that is 203 feet down the lines and 216 to straightaway centerfield. The fencing will soon be completed with a windscreen and protective yellow capping.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.