Schreiner softball drops season opener in slugfest, 13-5

Schreiner University’s softball season began with a thud Tuesday as the Mountaineers fell 13-5 to Howard Payne in the first game of a doubleheader at home.

The Yellow Jackets (1-0) jumped on Schreiner starter Celina Marchan early, scoring three runs in the first inning on Alyana Salazar’s two-run home run and an RBI single by McKeanne Saenz.

Howard Payne added three more runs in the third inning on Heaven Serna’s three-RBI double to right field, stretching the lead to 6-0.

Schreiner (0-1) finally answered in the bottom of the third when Sarah Almazan grounded out to third base, plating two unearned runs to make it 6-2.

The Mountaineers pulled within 9-5 in the fourth inning, scoring three unearned runs, but couldn’t sustain the momentum. Ashley Blaylock’s three-run homer in the top of the fourth had given the Yellow Jackets a 9-2 cushion before Schreiner’s rally.

Howard Payne put the game away with three runs in the sixth inning and one in the seventh.

Marchan (0-1) took the loss, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 10 hits over four innings. She gave up two home runs. Briannah Mejias pitched the final three innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits.

Almazan led Schreiner with two hits. Romy Nunez also had two hits and drew two walks.

For Howard Payne, Salazar went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI. Makayla Fuentes added three hits and scored four runs, while Saenz had three hits and two RBI.

Alyssa Silva (1-0) earned the win despite allowing five runs (one earned) over 3.2 innings.

The game was marred by an injury to Howard Payne third baseman Siannah Nava, who left the contest after a hard-hit ground ball took a short hop and struck her in the face.

A crowd of 150 watched the 2-hour, 30-minute game.