Austin eliminates Hendrix with 12-7 win in softball

The Austin College Kangaroos scored eight runs in the last three innings en route to a 12-7 win over Hendrix College, eliminating the Warriors from the 2008 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament (SCAC) Saturday, April 26 at Millennium Park in Danville, Ky.

Following a scoreless first inning, both teams jumped on the scoreboard in the second. Austin (17-22) plated three runs in the inning, only to see Hendrix answer with two in the bottom half to cut the lead to 3-2.

Both teams added a run each in the third and the Warriors scored another in the fourth to tied the game at four apiece. In the top of the fifth inning Austin's Sam Smith singled to start the inning. Stefanie Faith then stepped to the plate and delivered a two-run home run to right center to give the Kangaroos 6-4. Austin added another run in the inning to lead 7-4 going to the home half of the fifth.

Once again, Hendrix (11-27) answered with two runs, but still trailed 7-5 going to the sixth. Austin added a pair of unearned runs in the sixth, while allowing a solo tally in the bottom of the inning and the Kangaroos led 9-7 heading to the last inning.

After a lead-off single in the seventh, Brittany Gaertner advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Laci Hart and Bobbi Schulle then delivered back to back doubles to push the lead to 11-7. Smith then singled again driving in the 12th run of the game and Gaertner shut down the Warriors in the bottom of the inning to seal the win.

Ashley Johnson (9-11) earned the win for Austin throwing three innings and allowing only one earned run on three hits. Sarah Hightower (5-6) took the loss after allowing seven runs in five innings.

The Kangaroos' two through seven hitters combined to go 13 for 25 (.520) on the day with 10 runs scored and six more driven in. Smith finished 3 for 5 while five other players had two hits apiece. Sara Hunter and Christina Byler had two hits each for Hendrix with Byler driving in three runs in the loss.

Austin will now meet the winner of Centre College and Trinity later today at 4 p.m. in Danville, Ky.