That’s one way to break out of a slump.
The 12th-ranked Angelina College Lady Roadrunners – ranked as high as No. 8 nationally just weeks ago – broke out of a four-game losing streak to open conference play, rebounding in a big way with a doubleheader sweep of Paris College Saturday at Roadrunner Complex in Lufkin.
Jordan Kisselburg homered twice in the first game, Lynsey Mitchell homered twice in the second – including a walk-off grand slam – and Kali Holcomb homered in each game to lead the Lady ‘Runners to 8-0 and 11-1 wins over the Lady Dragons.
Kisselburg went deep twice in the opener, blasting a three-run shot in the second inning and a two-run bomb in the third to finish with five RBI in the game. Holcomb added a two-run blast in the fourth to give AC a 7-0 lead, and Kaylee Parker capped with win with an RBI sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth to score Ashley Davis with the walk-off run in the 8-0 win.
The offense backed a solid performance from starting pitcher Whitney Howerton, who gave up only a third-inning double to Lady Dragon Shelby Little; in every other frame, Howerton was absolutely perfect, finishing with one strikeout as the Lady ‘Runner defense played flawlessly behind her.
In the nightcap, AC took a 1-0 lead on Kisselburg’s bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the first, opening the lead to 5-0 in the third on Parker’s RBI single, Kisselburg’s sacrifice fly and Mitchell’s two-run homer to centerfield.
Paris scored its only run of the day in the fourth inning, getting a sacrifice fly from Chassity Mendoza.
Holcomb answered the Paris run with a solo homer in the fourth to pad the Lady ‘Runner lead at 6-1. Lauren Garza added an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth to score Ashley Hallmark, who had doubled earlier.
In the bottom of the sixth, AC got a single from Shay Vegas, a walk to Parker and a single from Kisselburg to load the bases. Mitchell then banged her homer off the scoreboard to end the game in an 11-1 AC win.
The Lady Roadrunners travel to Navarro College on Wednesday. The doubleheader starts at 1 p.m. in Corsicana.
The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.