Lindsey Wilson’s Season Comes to a Close With Extra-Innings Loss to Saint Xavier in NAIA Opening Round

Softball | Tue, May 18, 2021

Story by Lindsey Wilson College Athletics

COLUMBIA, Ky. – The 2021 season comes to a close for the Lindsey Wilson softball team. The Blue Raiders lost 2-1 to Saint Xavier (Ill.) in extra innings on Tuesday at Sparks Park and were eliminated from the NAIA Opening Round.

It was all about the pitching early on. Hannah Epperson got the start inside the circle and was effective over the first three innings. She kept the Cougars (35-3) hitless and struck out three.

However, in the fourth frame, Saint Xavier began the inning with two singles from a bunt and a weakly hit ground ball. With a runner in scoring position, the Cougars capitalized on the opportunity with a one-out base hit to start the scoring.  

Lindsey Wilson eventually evened things up in the fifth inning. Lyric Houston found her way on base with a hit and advanced to second on a wild throw. Brianna Griffiths followed with a walk to put two on with just one out. Breanna Clark then came up clutch with a pinch-hit RBI single that bounced off the center field fence to tie the game. 

Once again, the bats went quiet with neither team able to go ahead, which led to extra innings. 

In the top of the eight, Saint Xavier loaded the bases with two outs. On a 1-2 pitch, a Cougar batter was hit by a pitch to force home the go-ahead run. Unfortunately, the Blue Raiders were unable to respond in the bottom half of the inning and dropped the contest 2-1.

Epperson (7-3) received the loss despite performing well by allowing just two earned runs over 7.2 innings pitched with six hits, one walk, and five strikeouts.

Sam Sims was great from the leadoff spot with a line of 2-for-4. Clark recorded Lindsey Wilson’s only RBI and Houston scored the only run. 

The loss concludes a remarkable season that saw Lindsey Wilson (39-11) set the program record for the longest road winning streak with 24 consecutive victories away from home dating back to 2019. Additionally, the Blue Raiders had their best start to a season with 28 wins in a row to begin the year.