PLANO, Texas – The Dallas Christian College softball team erupted for 11 runs on 14 hits and were able to earn its first run-rule victory of the season to open the NDAG Softball Regional Tournament on Friday with an 11-1 final over Ecclesia College.
Zyian Bender headlined huge offensive day with two home runs and six runs-batted-in thanks to a grand slam in the triumph.
After falling behind a run in the first inning when the top two hitters for the Royals, Emily Threlkeld and Madison Knox, smacked consecutive doubles to get the three-seed on the board.
DCC answered back with the first four batters reaching.
Mikenzie Miller provided the early run production with a game-tying double to left field that scored
Jordyn Billodeaux from first base.
Zyian Bender would hit the first-of-two homers with a two-run shot to give DCC a lead it would not relinquish.
The Crusaders found two more runs in the third as Miller picked up her second RBI, scoring Billodeaux again, who had doubled to start the inning. The duo each contributed a 3-for-3 game and scored three times. Miller drove in three runs.
DCC finalized things with a six-run fourth inning that was highlighted by the team's second grand slam of the season – both coming against the Royals. Bender clobbered this no-doubter, as she was part of a trio to score multiple runs.
Rhionnon Weatherly was the other grand slam that occurred on April 9
th in game 1 that day as part of a 7-3 final.
"Feeling great, it was a Dub," Miller stated on how the team felt afterwards.
The victory was the fifth for the Crusaders and fourth against Ecclesia on the campaign.
"Pretty amazing. For our first run-rule to come in our first regional play is great," Bender reflected.
Bender tallied a game-high and season-most six RBI. The third baseman is the second DCC player in its inaugural year to have a multi-homer game, as Miller achieved the feat verses Sterling College (Mar. 12 game 1). The pair of blasts propelled Bender to the team-lead with five round-trippers.
Kaycee McDowell notched the other two-bagger for her lone hit.
Maya Williamson and Weatherly also garnered multi-hit results with 2-for-3 displays.
"Felt really great. Tried to not let it get to me because after you hit a home run, you try to hit another one. When it came I was just excited. It is honestly amazing for us to come together and come as far as we have as a team this year," Bender concluded on knocking her second long ball and the team's ability to play its most complete game of the year.
Trinity Johnson settled in after the first two doubles and would go five innings, while only allowing the run on four hits. She walked two and struck out one. 10 of her outs were in the air, but overall got weak contact.
DCC did not commit an error in this game.
"We are so proud of her [Johnson] today. She pitched her heart out." (Bender and Miller)
"Dallas Christian educates and mentors students to be people of influence engaging in their calling to the work of Christ in the church and in the world."
