By Brian Magloyoan | Texas Woman's Athletics Communications
 
CONROE, Texas (Feb. 1, 2019) — Texas Woman's Softball opened the season on Friday at the Arkansas Tech Winter Invitational, splitting a pair of games.
 
After opening the season with a 13-3 loss to Central Oklahoma, the Pioneers bounced back in the nightcap with a 4-3 victory over Washburn.
 
"We played two very good, sound teams today," head coach Amber Barker said. "We had a lot of positives for our first time out this spring."
 
Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Sydney Johnson connected on an RBI double. After Avery Williams reached on an error, scoring Johnson, Tara Solomon drilled a two-RBI double that capped a four-run fifth inning for the Pioneers.
 
"The most exciting part of the day, was how much of a team win it was," Barker said. "We strung hits together, pitched well in the circle and our defense showed up."
 
Tylia Sylestine and Sarah LaChance each added base hits of their own as the Pioneers picked up their first victory of the season.
 
In the opener against Central Oklahoma, the Pioneers struggled to find any offense until the fifth inning.
 
"I thought our nerves and playing on turf got the better of us in the firsts two innings against UCO," Barker added. "But we finally settled down, just didn't do what we needed to do offensively."
 
RBI singles from Williams and Sylestine highlighted the Pioneers' three-run fifth inning as Williams would go 2-for-2 at the plate.
 
Texas Woman's will close opening weekend tomorrow when they face Pittsburg State at 10:30 a.m. and St. Edward's at 1 p.m.
 
"Tomorrow, I'm expecting us to settle down even more and come out fighting from the first pitch," Barker said. "The big thing will be to stay within ourselves and play confidently."