Southwestern Box | Central Box

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Cardinals worked out of several bases-loaded jams and came through with key hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to knock off No. 7-ranked Central College 5-1 Friday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, SMU lost to Southwestern University (Texas) 5-4. The Cardinals are now 6-3 at the Tucson Invitational Games.

“In the first game we didn't play our best ball,” SMU coach Jen Miller said. “But we bounced back and got a huge win over Central in the later game.”

The Dutch out-hit SMU 8-3, but stranded nine runners in the game. SMU, meanwhile, struggled against Central pitcher Kiley Lythberg and didn't have any hits heading into the sixth inning.

In that frame, Michelle Carne (Escanaba, Mich.) led off with a double and was replaced by pinch-runner Kristen Thelen (Rochester, Minn.) A sac bunt by Julie Bartosz (Mokena, Ill.) advanced Thelen.

Hailey Ohl (Bloomington, Minn.) reached base and advanced to second on an error. A wild pitch scored Thelen and advanced Ohl. Erin Stenseth (Eau Claire, Wis.) walked and when she stole second base, an errant throw allowed Ohl to score. Katy Gannon (Roselle, Ill.) singled and Mal Betzold (Farmington, Minn.) was walked to load the bases. Bre Olson (Byron, Minn.) went in to run for Betzold.

Paige Carter (Rosemount, Minn.) hit a double to the fence to score Stenseth, Gannon and Olson and give the Cardinals a 5-1 advantage.

“Paige came through in the clutch once again for us,” Miller said. “We were able to get key hits at key times. Another factor was that Angie Bates (Roselle, Ill.) pitched a great game for us.”

Bates threw all seven innings, gave up eight hits, struck out three and walked three for her first collegiate win.

The Cardinals were also outhit in the first game as the Pirates had 11 hits compared to SMU's six. But, perhaps the biggest factor, were the Cardinals' defensive troubles.

“A couple errors at key points cost us in that game,” Miller said. “We were able to rally and get back in it but it was too little, too late.”

Betzold was tagged with the loss. She threw all seven innings, walked one and fanned three.

Ohl was 3-for-3 at the plate to pace the Cardinals. Carne added a double, while Gannon and Kellie Simons (Richfield, Minn.) added singles.

SMU will play SUNY-Oneonta in its final game of the spring trip at 8 a.m. (MT) Saturday.