The rain may have pushed back the games, but the Cottey Comets were still ready to roll in the NAIA Opening Round down in San Antonio, Texas.
The Comets first game was finally completed late last night, as they gave up 4 runs in the first inning to the host Our Lady of the Lake, but that was all the scoring to be had for the game. The Comets had Alyssa Montoya on the mound, recovering after the first inning to keep the Saints scoreless the rest of the way. Cottey's offense was cold, only managing one hit, a single from Elizabeth Thomas. The loss was Cottey's first of the regional.
Today, Cottey matched up with familiar foe Evangel University. Brooke Vicory and Alyssa Montoya teamed up to pitch the Comets to the vicotry. The win was Cottey's first ever in NAIA Opening Round play. The Valor struck first in the bottom of the 2nd inning with a sacrifice fly, before Cottey struck back in the 4th with 3 runs of their own. A couple singles and a throwing error later, the Comets had a 3-1 lead. The Valor got one back in the bottom of the inning with a Home Run, but Cottey still held a 3-2 lead. In the Bottom of the 6th inning, the Valor took a 4-3 lead on an error and single. That led to the Top of the 7th with the Comets down by a single run, their postseason run hanging in the balance. After a strikeout to start the inning, Amelia Gassman got things going with a double to centerfield. Lauren Johnson followed that up with a single and advancing to 2nd base. Then, Elizabeth Thomas helped tie up the game with an RBI single to score Gassman. Next up was Aariana Castillo who reached on a error by the 2nd baseman, scoring Thomas and Johnson, and taking a 6-4 lead. The game was not over though, as the Valor would not go away quietly. They got a single to start the inning, but got caught in a pickle between first and second for the first out. A hit by pitch, single, and a double in short order made the game 6-5 with potential winning run on 2nd base. After nerves were calmed, Montoya got a pop up out and the Comets held on for a 6-5 victory.
The Comets now await the loser of Our Lady of the Lake and Hope International; where the Comets will take the loser on at 5pm in an Elimination Game.
