SAN ANTONIO, Texas (May 7) – The TWU softball team dropped two games to the host No. 9 St. Mary's on the final day at NCAA South Central 2 Regional Tournament.  The Pioneers fell 4-1 in game one and then dropped a 4-3 decision in eight innings in winner-take-all game.
 
"They were good games and both teams fought till the end but we came up short," said TWU head coach Genny Stidham.  "I am proud of my girls and they were playing the best ball at the end.  They never give up and it took us a long way."  
 
In game one, after two scoreless innings the Pioneers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.  Senior Tealey Farquhar started bottom half of the inning with a bunt single and stole second before moving to third on a ground out.  Junior Nicole Nordie followed with a squeeze play to bring home the run and put TWU on top.
 
Junior Tori Bice started in the circle and cruised through the first five innings allowing just three base runners on a pair of hits and a walk. The Rattlers started the sixth inning with a double.  After a ground out and a walk, STMU's Raynelle Nash hit a three-run home run to put the Rattlers on top 3-1.  St. Mary's made it 4-1 in the seventh on a bases loaded walk and forced a winner-take-all game.
 
In game two the Rattlers scored the first run in the top of the third to take a 1-0 lead.  TWU responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Nordie started with a single and scored on a double by senior Laura Mabary.  Sophomore Amanda Gray gave the Pioneers a 2-1 lead on a ground out scoring Mabary from third.
 
STMU regained the lead 3-2 in the top of the fifth with two runs.  TWU tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Freshman Lindy Kennedy started the bottom of the sixth with a single and later scored on Gray's single through the right side.
 
The Rattlers had a chance for a go ahead run in the top of the seventh but Farquhar threw out the runner at the plate from center field to end the inning for STMU.  The Rattlers regained the lead on a solo home run by Marcela Vasquez in the top of the eighth inning.  In the bottom of the eighth the Pioneers went in order to end their season.
 
Farquhar, Mabary and sophomore Sydney Hester concluded their outstanding careers after helping the Pioneers to their fifth straight NCAA Tournament.  Hester will forgo her final two years of eligibility to focus on her nursing degree.
 
"I had a great career with the best teammates and best coaches," said Farquhar.  "I really become a student of the game.  Coach helped me see that softball is more than hitting the ball and running the bases.  She helped me see the bigger picture."
 
"I enjoyed my two years here and it was big difference from what I am use to," Mabary said.  "The teammates and coaches were always there for you.  They always had your back and I am honored to play with these girls and for these coaches."