SAN ANGELO, Texas (May 20, 2017) - The 2017 championship run for Texas Woman's University ended Saturday afternoon to the nation's top team, Angelo State, with a 6-2 loss during a resumed game two of the Super Regionals at Mayer Field.
 
The contest had originally begun Friday at 2 p.m. and was halted after two innings due to lightning. Following numerous delays over a five-and-half hour period, the teams were finally allowed to leave the premises and continue the game Saturday at noon. The Pioneers end the season with an overall record of 37-22, the best mark during Head Coach Genny Stidham's TWU tenure. This season marked the ninth NCAA regional appearance in program history and the second-ever trip to Super Regionals.
 
The Belles looked to score early Friday with a double down the left field line and filled the corners with a wild pitch and walk. Tylia Sylestine made a nice play on a bunt with a toss to Alexis Elizondo who tagged the runner. On the next play, Sylestine scooped up a hot ball headed towards third base while diving and quickly crawled to the bag for the third out to nix any scoring chances by ASU.
 
Nordie earned a walk in the bottom of the first, and Hazel Puempel pushed her to second with a single to center field. The catcher then zinged the ball past third base to allow Nordie to sprint home for the first run of the game and a 1-0 Pioneer edge.
 
In the top of the second, a Belle was hit by a pitch and the next batter sailed a double to center that the wind carried to right field to score the runner and tie the game at one run apiece. TWU nearly put a Belle out at third on a single but the ball was bobbled and the runner made it safely, but a groundout completed the inning before the first lightning delay was issued.
 
The Pioneers and Belles returned to the field Saturday. After a scoreless third inning, ASU (57-5) placed on runner on second due to catcher's interference and then a stolen base. Prior to the steal, pitcher Tori Bice made a diving catch and landed awkwardly before being attended to by Dr. Valerie Stevenson. A deep single was then sent towards Nordie where she scooped up the ball and sailed to Elizondo and the plate to tag to runner out at the place as the game remained in a 1-1 tie.
 
The Belles collected a single in the top of the fifth before Abby Walker came in to relieve Bice. A double to right center banged off the fence to give the runner enough time to make it home and put the Belles up 2-1. With two outs recorded, Katy Stephens made a leaping grab to end any other ASU scoring opportunities.
 
Sylestine knocked out her team-leading 11^th home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth to again tie the game before a pair of strikeouts moved the game into the seventh inning.
 
TWU logged the second ASU out on a sacrifice bunt with a runner advancing to second. A walk placed a Belle on first, and a single to right field scored a run for 3-2 ASU edge. A three-run homer by the next batter off the first pitch brought in a trio to extend the lead to 6-2.
 
The Pioneers were unable to produce any offense in the bottom of the seventh with three straight outs to finalize the game.
 
Walker (19-11) took the loss with four runs on four hits, a walk and a strikeout.