The Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) softball team suffered a pair of defeats against No. 16 Missouri Baptist University (MBU) on Saturday, falling 8-5 in the first game and 7-6 in a closely contested second match. The losses came during the second half of a four-game series held in Alexandria, Louisiana.
In the opening game, LSUA initially took the lead with Kilee Moody stealing home in the second inning, followed by an RBI single from Julia Kwakernaak in the third, scoring Vitrano and extending the Generals’ advantage to 2-0. Although, MBU responded strongly in the fifth, scoring five runs highlighted by an RBI double from Jacie Dees and a single from Alexi Sanchez. The Spartans added another run in the sixth on a double by Brooklyn Fischer.
LSUA attempted a comeback in the seventh inning, with Alyssa Soileau doubling to right field, scoring Hayden Cary, and Haley Fontenot tripling to right-center, driving in Soileau and Kamille Lightfoot, narrowing the gap to 8-5. Despite the late surge, the Generals were unable to complete the rally. Bailey (4-1) was credited with the loss, recording three strikeouts and allowing four earned runs over seven innings.
The second game proved to be a back-and-forth affair. LSUA again started strong, with a sacrifice bunt from Fontenot scoring Sophia Romero in the third. Kaetlyn Dunbar then launched a two-run home run, pushing the Generals’ lead to 3-0. MBU chipped away at the lead in the fourth, with Miranda Ladson driving in Fischer with a single. LSUA responded in their half of the inning with a sacrifice bunt from Rylie Jeau Theriot, scoring Bailey to make it 4-1.
Missouri Baptist mounted a comeback in the fifth, tying the game at 4-4 with Fischer doubling to center field and Ladson singling to right-center. LSUA regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Romero stole third and scored on a wild pitch. However, MBU seized control in the sixth, with Allison Leigraf hitting a home run and Fischer drawing a bases-loaded walk, scoring Kessler, to take a 6-5 lead. A sacrifice fly from Sanchez extended the Spartans’ advantage to 7-5.
In a final attempt to rally, Kwakernaak hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, but the Generals were ultimately unable to overcome the deficit, falling 7-6. Alyssa Soileau (0-2) was charged with the loss, striking out three and allowing six earned runs.
The LSUA Generals will resume play on Friday, February 20th, at 1:00 PM, hosting Southwest (N.M.) to begin Red River Athletic Conference play.
