TUCSON, Ariz. (Feb. 6) – The TWU softball team began its 2015 season at the NFCA Division II Lead-Off Classic and dropped both games on the opening day. The Pioneers fell to #13 Missouri-St. Louis, 6-5, in the opener before losing to Regis, 6-5, in eight innings.
In game one against Missouri-St. Louis, the Pioneers led 5-2 before UMSL scored four runs in the final four innings including two in the bottom of the seventh to capture the win. TWU took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a two-run home run by junior
Celina Ortiz. UMSL tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the inning on four walks and two wild pitchers.
The Pioneers went back on top in the top of the fourth on a two-run blast by freshman
Tylia Sylestine. TWU junior
Laura Mabary followed with a single and came around to score to make it 5-2. UMSL got one back in the bottom of the fourth and made it 5-4 in the fifth. The Tritons tied the game on a one-out solo home run before scoring the winning run on a single, walk and a single.
In game two against Regis, the Pioneers again took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. TWU sophomore
Alyssa Galaz started the bottom of the inning with double and scored a single by Ortiz. The Rangers took a 2-1 lead in the third on a two-out two-RBI double. TWU tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Ortiz scored on a double by sophomore
Tori Bice.
Regis scored three times in the fifth on two singles and two doubles to take a 5-2 lead. The Pioneers again answered and tied the game in the bottom of the inning with three runs of their own. Bice walked and scored on Sylestine's second two-run home run of the day before junior
Laura Mabary scored an unearned run to tie the game. Using an international tie breaker in the eighth inning, the Rangers scored the go ahead run on a two-out single after they placed the runner on second base. TWU had the tying run on third after a sacrifice bunt but a fly out and strikeout ended the game.
"We had the chance to win both games but could not close them out," said TWU head coach
Genny Stidham. "Offensively we played well and scored runs. Tylia hit two big home runs and Celina had four hits in seven at bats in the two games. We still have four games this weekend. We need to regroup and win those games."
Ortiz finished the day 4-for-7 with three runs and three RBI while Sylestine batted 3-for-6 with two runs and four RBI. Galaz and Mabary each picked up three hits in the two games.
The Pioneers will return to action when they face Colorado Mesa on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 2:00 p.m. (CST).
