Reagan holds Lady Vikings to three hits
By DAVID CAMPBELL
Eagle Staff Writer
Published Friday, February 15, 2008 6:18 AM

San Antonio Reagan's Julia Hoyack held Bryan to three hits over six innings, and the Lady Rattlers captured a 3-2 victory to open the Bryan-College Station Softball Tournament on Thursday at Lady Viking Field.

Hoyak struck out seven and worked with a lead the entire game after Reagan scored twice in the top of the first.

The loss sent the Lady Vikings (1-1) into the consolation round of the tournament, where they will face El Campo at 9 a.m. Friday at Veterans Park. Reagan (2-0) will continue play at Lady Viking Field.

"We just couldn't get the hits when we needed them, although we had some base runners," Bryan head coach Enrique Luna said. "She did a great job with her riseball, keeping us off-balance. We chased a lot of her pitches. There's not much we can do with only three hits."

Bryan used three pitchers, who allowed 11 hits. Three of Regan's first four batters delivered hits off Jennifer Kasper to produce two runs. Kayla Blucher singled to right, and Colleen Carrera beat out a bunt. Designated player Jori Fox, batting cleanup, sliced a one-out single to right field to score Blucher, and a wild pitch plated Carrera.

Bryan responded with its first opportunity. Michelle Stratta walked and scored ahead of Kasper's two-out single to left.

Left fielder Jessica Titman added a run for Reagan in the third, opening the inning with a single and scoring when first baseman Jorden Smith reached on an error.

Bryan had opportunities to rally, loading the bases in the fifth when Jennifer Saxby led off with a double to left. A pair of force outs at third and an inning-ended fly ball ended the threat.

The Lady Vikings closed the gap to 3-2 in the sixth without a hit. Ashley Lara reached on an error, moving to second on a passed ball.

Reagan catcher Kelsie Collins, who narrowly missed throwing out runners at first base on two occasions, was high on her throw to second in an attempt to put out Lara. The Lady Vikings' shortstop raced home on the throw that landed in center field.

Hoyack ended the inning by striking out sophomore pinch hitter Brandi Garcia and rightfielder Taylor Dohnalik, before getting a groundout to third from Saxby.

Courtney Ford, returning from an ankle injury, and Michelle Stratta also pitched for Bryan.

"We decided early on we were going to rotate the starts," Luna said. "Unfortunately, we had to use all three, but I think they all did a good job."

In other tournament games Thursday at Lady Viking Field, El Campo beat Stephen F. Austin, 1-0 in a play-in game. La Joya then defeated El Campo 5-3 in the first round.

San Antonio Reagan 3, Bryan 2

Reagan 201 000 -- 3 11 2

Bryan 100 001 -- 2 3 1

Julia Hoyak and Kelsie Collins. Jennifer Kasper, Courtney Ford (3) and Michelle Stratta (6). WP -- Julia Hoyack; LP -- Kasper. Leading hitters: Reagan -- Collins 2-3; Jessica Titman 2-3; Jori Fox 2-4; Bryan -- Kasper 2B. Records -- Reagan 2-0; Bryan 1-1.

• David Campbell's e-mail address is david.campbell@theeagle.com.