PHOTO (L-R): Alexa Gracia, Madalyne Martinez, Jennifer Gress, Ashley Patterson
On Tuesday, March 12, Texas College Softball defeated Grambling State University, an NCAA Division I softball program, 8-1 in the first game of their two-game series. The Steers started off strong with a line drive from Jennifer Gress, which would bring home Ashley Patterson for their first run. Steers would capitalize on their momentum in the first, as Jennifer Gress would advance to home plate and score their second run on a fly ball.
The game remained tense at 2-0 until the top of the fourth inning, where Texas College found their stride. With the first pitch at the top of the fourth, Texas College's Jennifer Gress hammered the ball to left field, bouncing off the wall, which resulted in a double. The Steers would ultimately score six runs off of three singles and an error. Ashley Patterson found her way to home plate for the second time, alongside Sydney Palomo, Zoe Backstrom, Nyah Arredondo, Andrea Vasquez, and Gabby Thomas-Brice each scoring a run as well. With the score at 8-0, Grambling State would answer back with just one run in the bottom of the fourth. Ultimately, Texas College would finalize their victory over Grambling State in the bottom of the seventh.
The Steers had four notable standouts in their win over the Tigers. With seven strikeouts, Texas College's right-handed pitcher Madalyne Martinez earned the win, allowing just eight hits and one run over seven innings. Alexa Gracia led the Steers to victory with three runs batted in, while Jennifer Gress had two hits in four at bats, and Ashley Patterson scored twice.
Texas College's defeat of an NCAA Division I softball program is the first in over a decade, when Texas College defeated Grambling State University at home in 2013. Texas College Softball ultimately would split the two-game series with the Tigers, falling 2-1 in the second game. Steer Softball's next matchup is a doubleheader at home against Xavier University of Louisiana on Friday, March 15, with games beginning at 1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M.
To view highlights from the game, see the video below.
