LAS VEGAS (Feb. 5, 2017) - The Pioneers of Texas Woman's University wrapped up The Desert Stingers with a pair of wins in an eight-inning battle over Concordia (Ore.), 6-5, and a 3-2 victory over in-region foe New Mexico Highlands Sunday at Majestic Park to conclude the tournament with a 4-1 overall mark.
 
TWU 6, CU 5 (8 innings)
 
Concordia struck first with a single and double RBI in the first inning for an early 3-0 lead, with TWU responding in the bottom of the frame with scores by Logan Polasek and Tylia Sylestine to close the gap to 3-2. A series of Cavalier errors led to another run and a tie game at 3-3 in the second.
 
CU jumped back on top with a triple and RBI single in the fourth before Nicole Nordie singled to shortstop for an RBI to knot the score. A sacrifice fly in the fifth put the Cavaliers up 5-4, and Concordia carried the lead until the bottom of the seventh.
 
The Pioneers faced tough odds with two outs on the board in the bottom of the seventh before Katy Stephens and Melanie Stephens tallied singles. Chelsie McClure hit a single to center field to bring Katy Stephens home to force an extra inning.
 
The Cavaliers went three-up, three-down with Abby Walker striking out the last pair of batters to set up the bottom of the eighth. With Morgan Harrison automatically placed on second, an error once again plagued Concordia to place Tara Solomon on first and Harrison on third. Nordie advanced Solomon by way of a walk to load the bases. With a 2-2 count at the plate, Sylestine was hit by a pitch to bring in Harrison for the win.
 
Walker secured her first win (1-0) on one hit and six strikeouts.
 
TWU 3, NMHU 2
 
Polasek garnered the first hit for the Pioneers against the Cowgirls with a single through the right side before stealing second and then making her way to third on a wild pitch. A single to right center by Tori Bice scored Polasek for a 1-0 TWU advantage.
 
McClure began the bottom of the second with a single to right center, and Alexis Elizondo followed with a bunt to the pitcher. McClure advanced to third on a fielder's choice by Solomon before an RBI single from Nordie brought McClure home to up the lead to 2-0.
 
Both teams remained scoreless until the top of the fifth until NMHU blasted a homer to right center to knot the score at 2-2. Sylestine sent a double down the right field line and Katy Stephens singled to right center allowing Sylestine to push the Pioneers ahead, 3-2.
 
NMHU attempted to stay alive in the top of the seventh with a single up the middle and a TWU error helped to place runners on first and second. The Pioneers caught a Cowgirl stealing third, and a final out by way of a caught foul ball preserved the TWU win.
 
Walker (2-0) earned the win by enduring the entire seven innings by giving up two runs on three hits, five walks and eight strikeouts.
 
The Pioneers return to the Lone Star State for the North Texas Softball Bash beginning Friday, Feb. 10 with games against Oklahoma Christian at 11 a.m. and Lubbock Christian at 1:30 p.m.