Top Performances From College Softball March 16

Ohio

The Bobcats launched a program and conference-record seven home runs as they hammered Saint Francis (Pa.) 17-6 in five innings at the Hoosier Classic in Bloomington, Ind. Senior catcher Natalie Alvarez had the best of many huge performances for Ohio, going 5-for-5 with two homers and three runs scored. Sophomore shortstop Katie Yun also had a pair of homers, while senior designated player Morgan Geno went 3-for-3 with a homer, three RBI, and three runs.

Alley McDonald

The junior threw nine scoreless innings as Southeastern Louisiana outlasted Houston Baptist 4-3 in 11 innings to win the rubber match of the series in Houston, Texas. McDonald came in with a runner on first and nobody out in the bottom of the third, stranded that runner with three straight outs, and then put up eight more zeros to hold HBU off the board the rest of the way in her first career outing to go beyond seven innings. McDonald got help from senior first baseman Rebecca Skains, who went 4-for-6 with two doubles and two RBI, including the go-ahead RBI double in the 11th.

Brooke Wilmes

The sophomore utility player had three doubles and robbed one from an opponent as Missouri surprised No. 10 Georgia 7-3 to even the series 1-1 in Columbia, Mo. Wilmes became just the fifth Mizzou player ever with a three-double game. All three doubles were important: she scored the first run of the game in the first, drove in a go-ahead run in the second, and drove in a key insurance run in the fourth, A regular starter in the lineup but making just her third appearance ever in the outfield, Wilmes made a shoestring catch near the right field line to rob Mahlena O'Neal of extra bases in the seventh to help the Tigers finish the upset.

Evelyn Loyola

The junior catcher had two home runs among her six hits and was also on the receiving end of a combined no-hitter as Bowling Green pounded St. Bonaventure 21-0 in five innings and knocked off host Morehead State 10-4 at the Morehead State Classic in Morehead, Ky. Coming in to the day with just two hits in 16 career D-I at-bats after transferring from Howard College in Texas (NJCAA), Loyola had her first multi-homer game and went 6-for-7 with two homers, a double, seven RBI, four runs, a walk, and a stolen base. The double and stolen base were each the first of her BGSU career. Her big day powered a historic day for the Falcons, as the 21 runs scored in the opener marked a new program record.

Arkansas

The No. 21 Razorbacks erased a four-run deficit with a huge seven-run sixth, rallying to beat No. 16 South Carolina 7-4 in Fayetteville, Ark. With a runner on first and one out in the bottom of the sixth, six straight Hogs reached base, capped by back-to-back homers: a grand slam from senior first baseman Ashley Diaz followed by the second career homer for junior shortstop Aly Manzo. Junior Autumn Storms entered in the third inning and stifled the Carolina bats, allowing just two hits over 4.2 scoreless innings to keep the comeback hope alive.

Rachel Garcia

The junior pitcher/first baseman threw five scoreless innings and hit the go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth to help No. 1 UCLA clinch their Pac-12 opening series at No. 7 Washington. Garcia struck out seven and worked out of major jams in the fifth and seventh to force extras, while her two-run blast marked the first home run allowed by UW's Gabbie Plain in her last 57 innings pitched (Feb. 14 vs Mississippi State).

Memphis

The host Tigers picked up a pair of wins including a historic upset at the Tiger Classic in Memphis, Tenn. The 5-3 win over No. 11 Texas Tech is the highest-ranked opponent that Memphis has ever defeated, Seniors carried the day for UM, as first baseman Ashley Threatt reached base all three times including a two-run homer to help chase starter Morgan Hornback in the first, while catcher Regan Hadley hit a fifth-inning two-run homer off TTU ace Erin Edmoundson that ended up being the difference in the game. The Tigers then knocked off Maine 8-2 in the nightcap, powered by another senior, as outfielder Jessie Lamb set career highs in hits and RBI with three each.

Chardonnay Harris

The sophomore lefty threw a complete-game three-hitter as No. 23 Auburn clinched a series win with a 8-1 win over Texas A&M in Auburn, Al. In just her third career start against an SEC opponent, Harris faced three over the minimum, striking out 10 and walking none. The three hits are the fewest she's allowed in a complete game, and her 7.0 innings of work against a conference foe was a new career-high by a wide margin, eclipsing her 4.0 at Missouri in April 2018.

Northwestern

The Wildcats won twice including a top-25 road win as they beat Toledo and host No. 19 Indiana at the Hoosier Classic in Bloomington, Ind. Freshman lefty Danielle Williams out-dueled IU ace Tara Trainer, earning the fifth complete-game shutout of her young career as she allowed two hits and struck out 10. Sophomore left fielder Morgan Nelson tripled and double in the 11-2 win over Toledo, driving in four runs, and then also hit a solo shot in the 5-0 win over the Hoosiers. Junior pitcher/designated player Morgan Newport had three hits including a two-run homer, and also threw two innings of scoreless relief to finish the win over the Rockets.

Transfer Nia Carter Hopes For Fairytale Ending At Arkansas

Nia Carter transferred to Arkansas this offseason for her final year of NCAA eligibility.