Photo by Paul Trende
There was a time, in the 2000s, when Houston softball was a powerhouse. Their last Austin trip and last SEC title were in 2013. Whether this year will buck those decades-long droughts is yet to be determined. A doubleheader with Southland May 16 will be a key decider in the first. But Houston is amidst their best season in years, courtesy of a five-win week. Josh Swenson’s group first beat Rushford-Peterson 9-2. Olivia Beckman (2-2, RBI, 4 R) hit a home run while Emily Botcher (3-4, R) drove in four runs. Ellaysn Carrier (2-4, RBI) and Lilly Carr (7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, Win, 2-3, RBI, R) helped. R-P was led by Ava Drazkowski (1-3, RBI) and Torryn Schneider (1-2, R). Houston then took two from Lyle/Pacelli; 5-1 in five innings and 17-0 in four innings. Nicole Beckman (5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 6 BB, 7 K, 1-2, RBI, R) collected the pitching win in game one. Julia Swenson (1-2, two SB, RBI, R) and Olivia Yohe (1-3, two SB, RBI, R) helped on “O.” The second game was more in tune with the scores teams have been putting up against the Athletics. Houston had a 13-run third. O-Beckman (3-3, 3B, 3 RBI, 3 R) liked things in threes to lead the way. Botcher (2-2, RBI, 2 R, 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, Win), Carrier (1-3, RBI, 2 R), Swenson (1-1, RBI, 2 R), Cadence Koehler (1-1, RBI, 2 R), and N-Beckman (1-3, RBI) helped. The ‘Canes then beat Spring Grove 12-5. Yohe (3-5, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 R) led the way. Koehler (2-2, 2 RBI, 2 R), Carr (4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, Win), Botcher (2-3, 2 RBI, 3 R), O-Beckman (1-4, 3 RBI), and N-Beckman (1-4, 2 RBI) also did work. The Lions were led by Lydia Solum (1-3, 2 RBI), Katelyn Kraus (1-3, RBI, R), and Addyson McHugh (1-3, RBI). At Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger, Houston trailed 4-2. The Hurricanes then put up three each in the fifth and sixth to go ahead 8-4. They prevailed 8-6, matching their closest win of the year (5-3, FC/L). The senior Carr (7 IP, 6 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 12 K) improved to 7-0. Yohe (2-4, two SB, 2 R), N-Beckman (1-2, RBI, R), and O-Beckman (1-2, three SB, RBI, 2 R) helped. The Hurricanes (7-0, 11-0) and Southland (8-0, 11-0) top the SEC.