LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Home runs by Huntsville freshman Tayler Gray highlighted play for Sam Houston as the softball team lost twice on their second day of action at the New Mexico State Troy Cox Classic.
The Bearkats gave up nine runs in the final two innings in a 12-4 loss to sixth-ranked Oklahoma on Saturday morning. Sam Houston posted 10 hits in their second contest, but fell 15-7 in six innings to host New Mexico State.
Jessica Shults hit two home runs and Keilani Ricketts added a third as Oklahoma moved to 3-0 at the tournament. New Mexico State now stands 8-1. The Bearkats dropped to 5-7 for the year.
The Bearkats got three runs in the bottom of the sixth of the Oklahoma game as a sacrifice foul out scored Hailey Wiginton and Gray's two-run home run to left field.
Oklahoma answered with four runs in the top of the seventh.
Hailey Wiginton was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Gray's only hit was the two-run home run. Courtney Schoenemann got the loss, pitching 5.1 innings. She allowed six runs on four hits and walked two. Shelby Lancaster pitched the final 1.2 innings for the Bearkats.
Wiginton also went 2-for-3 in the second game. Sarah Allison also was 2-for-3 and Kim Damian went 2-for-2 at the plate. Garrison was the losing pitcher for the Bearkats, dropping to 3-3 for the year.
Sam Houston will complete play in the New Mexico State tournament Sunday at 10:30 a.m. (Huntsville time) against Louisiana-Monroe. The Bearkats next action is a home doubleheader Wednesday at 4 p.m. against the University of Houston.
