HOUSTON — Facing St. Thomas (TX) in its season opener for the third straight season, UMHB Softball swept its doubleheader on Friday afternoon in Houston, opening its 2025 campaign with back-to-back wins for the first time in Melissa Mojica’s five seasons as head coach.
The Cru battled back from a four-run deficit in Game 1, winning 6-4, and followed with a 2-1 victory in a pitcher’s duel in Game 2. It marks the second time since 2023 that UMHB has picked up consecutive wins over the Celts, with the first occurrence coming in the Belton Regional at the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Game 1: UMHB, 6, UST, 4
Impactful Player
Tori Skinner recorded her best performance in a UMHB uniform, as the senior catcher went 4-for-4 at the plate, driving in four runs. Skinner’s four hits were a career-high, and she doubled twice in the contest, batting in the No. 2 spot in the lineup. All four of her RBIs came as a result of those doubles, with each driving in a pair of runs in the fourth and sixth innings.
Notable Stat
UMHB had 16 hits in the offensive outburst, the most in a game for The Cru since their 23-hit performance at Sul Ross State on April 28, 2023. Four different Crusaders—Lindsey Polleschultz, Tori Skinner, Bryton Wright, and Shorey Nguyen—tallied multiple hits in the win, giving UMHB consistent production at the top of the order.
Key Moment
UST put together a four-run third, sparked by four straight singles to lead off the inning. All four runs were scored with no outs and the Celts grabbed the momentum, but UMHB quickly responded with a four-run fourth. A half-inning later, The Cru put together three consecutive at-bats that ended in RBIs. Polleschultz doubled to left, scoring Madeline Stephenson, and Skinner followed suit with her first double of the contest, bringing both Polleschultz and Shorey Nguyen across the plate. Bryton Wright delivered the game-tying RBI one batter later, putting UMHB right back in it, setting up the two-run sixth inning that gave The Cru its eventual 6-4 victory.
Game 2: UMHB, 2, UST, 1
Impactful Player
Eileigh Whyte built on a solid junior season with her first start of 2025, scattering eight hits across 7.0 innings in a complete game in the circle. The right-hander allowed just one earned run and did not walk a batter, lifting The Cru to victory in a low-scoring duel. Only two of those eight hits went for extra bases—both were doubles—and Whyte threw just 82 pitches.
Notable Stat
UMHB was 2-5 last season in games with five hits or fewer, yet found a way to win on Friday,
despite putting up just five hits. Two of those five were doubles—one apiece from Taylor Henken and Kyler Sanders—and a third came from Tori Skinner’s fifth-inning home run. In total, UMHB tallied three extra-base hits between the fourth and fifth innings.
Key Moment
With the score knotted at 0-0 and two outs in the fourth, Taylor Henken drew a walk and then proceeded to steal second base with Kyler Sanders at the plate. Sanders ripped a double to left field two pitches later, and Henken displayed her exceptional speed, never breaking stride as she beat the throw home and scored standing up. It put The Cru in front, 1-0, and they soon extended it to 2-0 on Skinner’s solo homer in the fifth.
What’s Next?
UMHB returns to Belton for its home opener on Tuesday night, hosting Southwestern in a 6 p.m. matchup at Dee Dillion Field. The Pirates were swept by top-ranked ETBU in a season-opening doubleheader last Friday.
