Lady Lions Softball Swept by North Texas
Pine Bluff, Ark. – The UAPB softball team was swept by North Texas in a three game series at the Torii Hunter Complex. The Lady Lions dropped Sunday’s doubleheader 3-0 and 5-2, respectively, and continued to struggle at the plate in Monday’s match-up, falling 8-0 in six innings.
Defense was the word in game one, as both teams were held scoreless until the fourth inning. North Texas would score the games only runs, taking a three to nothing lead on their way to the win. North Texas SR pitcher Hope Trautwein made history in the circle, throwing the perfect game while striking out all 21 batters she faced. It is believed to be the first perfect seven-inning game in NCAA D1 history with every out being a strikeout.
Lady Lions JR Shakeidra Hubbard struck out four in the loss.
In game two, the Mean Green would jump on the Lady Lions early, scoring 2 in the top of the second, 1 in the third, and 2 in the fourth to take 5-0 lead. The bats would get going for UAPB in the bottom of the fourth with a lead off double by Shanice Akins. Ann Gerwitz singled next to move Akins to third, who would score on a ground out RBI by Samaria Jackson. Jackson would single in the bottom of the sixth, scoring J. Carlson for the Lady Lions only other run of the ballgame.
Senior Shanice Akins led the Lady Lions at the plate, going 2-for-3 followed by Jackson with an 1-for-3 2 RBI performance.
Monday’s game three featured more of the same for the Lady Lions as they struggled to get going offensively losing 8-0 in six innings. Deeanna Harrington was a bright spot, batting 1.000 on the day, going 2-for-2 at the plate. Shanice Akins had the only other hit for Pine Bluff in the series finale.
The Lady Lions will return to conference play this weekend, when they will travel to Baton Rouge to take on Southern University. Friday’s first pitch scheduled for 3p.m., with a Saturday doubleheader at 1 and 3p.m.
