SFA Drops First Two of UNT Invite

Friday, February 23

Denton, TX

9:00 a.m.

Stephen F. Austin

2-9

Texas Tech University

8-3

SFA

Texas Tech

SFA Drops First Two of UNT Invite

2/23/2024 4:30:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Peter Trainor, Student Assistant for Strategic Communications

DENTON, Texas. - The Stephen F. Austin Softball team (2-10, 0-0) dropped their first two matches of the UNT Invite against Texas Tech (8-3, 0-0), and University of New Mexico (4-9, 0-0).

Game 1: Texas Tech 4, SFA 0

The first game of the UNT Invite pitted SFA against a Power Five opponent in Texas Tech with these two schools meeting for the first time since 2018. Alexis Telford drew the start in the circle for SFA and pitched a scoreless first inning, with SFA unable to get anything going on their end in the top of the first. The Red Raiders drew first blood on a sacrifice fly that saw Ellie Vance make a spectacular catch in foul territory along the first base side, but Texas Tech was able to strike first and led 1-0. The Red Raiders would tack on another run in the third, before scoring two more in the fourth to stake themselves to a 4-0 lead. Unfortunately, the Lumberjacks were not able to get much going against Maddy Wright who brought her best stuff to the park against SFA as SFA eventually fell 4-0 to the Red Raiders.

Kylie Bishop and Mikaelah Burkland both recorded hits for SFA, while Alex Dubose recorded a team-leading eight putouts for the 'Jacks. Lexi Benson and Brittany Coe both recorded three putouts, while Ellie Vance had a pair of putouts, and Chloe Reneau and Burkland each had a pair of assists defensively. Alexis Telford pitched six innings, striking out two, only allowing two free passes, and recording seven groundouts and nine flyouts.

Game 2: University of New Mexico 6, SFA 3

The second game of the opening day of the UNT Invite saw SFA square off against a familiar face in former Lumberjacks head coach Nicole Dickson, who became head coach of University of New Mexico two years ago. This game featured these two schools playing against each other for the first time since 2017. Brooke Gainous would draw the starting nod for game two and pitched five innings, with Aydenne Brown pitching one inning of relief for SFA.

The Lobos struck first in the bottom of the first thanks to a two-run single, but SFA had the answer to the Lobos as Mikaelah Burkland crushed her first homerun of the season to left field in the top of the second, scoring Kylie Bishop in the process and tying the game at two apiece. However, the Lobos responded immediately in the bottom of the second as they would plate two more runs and regain their two-run lead at 4-2. The Lumberjacks refused to go down without a fight as in the top of the fourth, Emily Land was able to drive home Kylie Bishop and cut the Lobos lead down to one at 4-3. Once again, however, the Lobos had a response for SFA as they would plate two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-3 lead, and SFA was unable to respond in the top of the seventh falling 6-3.

Madison Nguyen and Mallory Webb showcased their dual threat abilities as both recorded a pair of singles, while Nguyen recorded a team-leading five putouts, with Webb finishing right behind her with three of her own. Mikaelah Burkland led the team with two RBIs thanks to her two-run bomb to left field in the top of the second, while Kylie Bishop's patience at the plate paid off as she drew two walks on the afternoon and ended up scoring two runs for SFA. Brooke Gainous and Aydenne Brown combined for three strikeouts, only issued two walks, while recording 11 flyouts, and four groundouts from Lobos batters.

The Lumberjacks will be back in action for day two of the UNT Invite tomorrow morning when they get set for a rematch with the University of New Mexico Lobos first with first pitch set for 9:00 a.m. CST, before finishing the second day against another Power Five school in The University of Minnesota, with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CST for the second game.