WSCC SOFTBALL: Lions split first 2 matchups at NJCAA World Series

YUMA, AZ. – The Wallace State Lions are in Arizona this week competing in this year’s NJCAA Division I Softball World Series and they split their opening matchups on Monday and Wednesday. The Lions fell to Odessa 6-2 in the first game on Monday, but they bounced back with a 6-2 win over Southern Union in an elimination game on Wednesday. Wallace State (48-14) will play later Wednesday night against the loser of 12th-seeded Chipola and 20th-seeded Navarro.

Odessa 4 – Wallace State 1 (Game One)

Wallace State fell behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first on a single.

The Lions took the lead in the top of the fourth after plating two runs. Blakelyn Austin’s single plated Brandy Phillips and Brooklyn Sertell, who had both singled earlier in the inning.

Odessa scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth and another in the sixth to make the score 6-2.

Austin finished with a hit and two RBIS to lead Wallace State. Phillips and Sertell each had a hit and a run scored. Tenayja Thomas and Charli Kyser also had a hit.

Phillips took the loss after pitching 4.1 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits. Madeline Howard pitched 1.2 innings of relief, allowing one run on one hit.

Wallace State 6 – Southern Union 2 (Game Two)

The Lions jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Brooklyn Sertell led off the inning with a home run to center field.

With two outs in the third, Wallace State rallied for four runs to take a 5-0 lead. Brandy Phillips singled to give the Lions their first baserunner of the inning. She advanced to second, following a walk by Charli Kyser. Sertell then singled to drive home Phillips and move Kyser to second. On the next pitch, Blakelyn Austin homered to bring home Kyser and Sertell for the 5-0 lead.

Southern Union cut into the lead with a run in the top of the fifth to make the score 5-1.

The Lions responded with a run in the bottom of the fifth when Austin’s single to left drove home Phillips, who had singled earlier in the inning.

The Lady Bison put another run on the board in the sixth but would get no closer in the 6-2 loss.

Austin led Wallace State at the plate with two hits, including a home run, two RBIs, and a run scored. Sertell added two hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored, while Phillips had two hits and two runs scored. Kyser added a hit and a run scored.

Madeline Howard picked up the win after pitching 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. Phillips pitched 1.2 innings of hitless and scoreless relief while striking out four.