Final Stats
DENTON, Texas - The UNO softball team earned a 4-0 win over Dayton Sunday morning to finish off the North Texas Lovelace Invitational with a 4-1 record.
After a scoreless five innings, the Mavs broke through with four runs in the bottom of the sixth for a 4-0 lead. That was more than enough run support for junior
Dana Elsasser (6-1), who allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out three to pick up her third complete-game shutout of the season.
The Mavs now stand at 9-1 on the season, their only loss a 2-1 setback against Iowa on Saturday. Dayton dropped to 0-5 on the season after falling to the Mavericks for the second time this weekend. UNO beat Dayton in the first game of the tournament on Friday, 9-2.
Elsasser started her fourth straight game in the circle and was in control, retiring the first 10 Flyers in order, all by way of a groundout or strikeout. The Flyers finally got a hit in the top of the fourth, as well as a walk, but Elsasser shut them down to remain deadlocked.
UNO had
Allie Mathewson on second and
Lindsay Redding on first with no outs to begin the first inning, and both advanced a base on a one-out wild pitch, but neither could reach home after a UNO pop up and strikeout. Redding singled again in the third inning for UNO's second hit and stole second, but the Mavs were unable to bat her home.
Tara Trede singled in the bottom of the fifth and advanced to second on an error by the center fielder, but the Mavs again couldn't bring her around.
The Mavs finally gave Elsasser run support in the bottom of the sixth.
Campbell Ditto doubled down the left field line to open the inning and with one out away,
Molly Negrete laced a triple to right center to score Ditto for the 1-0 lead. After a Dayton pitching change,
Mara Eeman singled to right center to score Negrete to make it 2-0.
Tonya Peterson then walked and Trede singled to load the bases for Mathewson with two outs. Mathewson singled to right center to score Eeman and Peterson for a 4-0 advantage.
Elsasser closed out the win in the top of the seventh for her sixth complete game in seven starts. Redding and Trede each had two hits for the Mavs.
Following the tournament, Mathewson, Redding, Ditto and Elsasser were named to the all-tournament team. Mathewson was a unanimous selection.
The Mavs continue their month of traveling every weekend when they head to Jackson, Miss., for the Jackson State Tournament next weekend at JSU Softball Field. Although the Mavericks will play five games, they will only face two opponents, Evansville (three times) and Jackson State (twice).
