DENTON, Texas (Apr. 18) – TWU sophomore pitcher Tori Bice tossed two complete games to help the Pioneers to a doubleheader sweep against visiting Eastern New Mexico on Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Field.  TWU won the first game 8-0 in five innings before capturing a 5-1 victory in game two.
 
Bice pitched a complete-game two-hit shutout in the series opener vs. the Zias.  The Mesquite, Texas native followed that up with another full seven-innnigs of work and just one unearned run allowed in game two.  She struck out five batters total in both games.  Senior Kendra Sancet led the Pioneers on offense on this day as she was 2-for-6 at the plate in the two games with two runs scored, and three runs batted in. The big hit for Sancet was her team-leading 13th home run of the season in game one.
 
In game one, the Pioneers jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning after batting around.  TWU started the scoring with Sancet's three run home run to left field with no outs.  Bice drove in the fourth run on a RBI double before senior Sarah Wittenburg brought home the fifth run on a ground out.  Sophomore Katy Stephens rounded the scoring with a sacrifice fly.
 
The Pioneers scored two more runs in the third to make it 8-0.  TWU scored the first run on double steal and then added another on a throwing error by the Zias.
 
In the second game, TWU again took an early lead in the first inning.  Sophomore Alyssa Galaz put the Pioneers on top 1-0 with a two-out RBI-single up the middle.  TWU made it 3-0 in the second on a RBI single by junior Tealey Farquhar and a RBI groundout by junior Laura Mabary.
 
After two scoreless innings, Eastern New Mexico scored an unearned run in the top of the fifth to make it 3-1.  The Pioneers answered in the bottom of the inning with two runs of their own to make it 5-1.  Freshman Tylia Sylestine drove in both runs on a double to left center.
 
"It's starting to click and we are playing our best ball of the season right now," said TWU head coach Genny Stidham.  "We are not making that many mistakes on defense.  We are bunting the ball really well, hitting behind runners, moving runners and we are getting the long fly balls when we need to.  Bice took care of business in the circle and allowed just one unearned run.  She is pitching really well right now."
 
The Pioneers will conclude the four-game series with Eastern New Mexico on Sunday, Apr. 19, with a doubleheader.  The games are scheduled for 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.  Between games, TWU seniors Kendra Sancet and Sarah Wittenburg will be honored with a brief Senior Day Ceremony.