Manhattan University Athletics

LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Manhattan softball team opened the 2022 season Friday with two one-run losses to UT Arlington and Sam Houston.
 
Game 1: UT Arlington 5, Manhattan 4
Manhattan came back from a 4-0 deficit to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth. UT Arlington then got a solo home run in the top of the seventh to pick up the win in the Jaspers season opener.
 
The Mavericks pushed three across in the top of the second. Two walks and a steal put runners at the corners, and Morgan Westbrook delivered an RBI single. Aaliyah White drove in a run before Westbrook scored on a fielder's choice. Westbrook also drove in the fourth run of the game for the Mavericks.
 
Annie Moore drove in a pair for the Jaspers with a double to left with two away in the bottom of the fifth. One inning later, the Jaspers would load the bases with one out after two walks and a hit. Megan Gillooley walked with the bases loaded to make it 4-3 before a fielder's choice leveled the game at four.
 
Smith's homer came with two outs in the top of the seventh.
 
Mollie Charest was charged with the loss for the Jaspers. The sophomore allowed two runs in 3.2 innings of relief.
 
Game 2: Sam Houston 3, Manhattan 2 (F/9)
 Like in game one, Manhattan came back to tie the game after falling behind early. Sam Houston scored in the first and third innings to lead 2-0.
 
Kaitlyn Flood provided the two runs for the Jaspers. The junior deposited a Regan Dunn offering over the left-center field fence for a two-run homer to level the score at two.
 
Manhattan left runners in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and ninth innings but could not push one across.
 
Sheridan Fisher drove in the winning run for the Bearkats in the bottom of the ninth on a single to center.
 
The Jaspers are back in action tomorrow with two more games from Lake Charles. Manhattan takes on Memphis at 3:30 p.m. followed by the hosts, McNeese State, at 5:45 p.m.