By Brian Magloyoan | Texas Woman's Athletics Communications
EDMOND, Oklahoma (Feb. 10, 2019) — Day 2 of the OC/UCO Invitational saw Texas Woman's take on co-host Central Oklahoma, with the Pioneers falling to the Bronchos, 10-7 on Sunday afternoon.
With weather causing the cancellation of the opening game of the day for the Pioneers against Washburn, TWU had extra time to prepare for a Central Oklahoma team that has lost only one game in the young season.
"Even though we didn't end up on the other end today, we saw a lot of positives," head coach
Amber Barker said. "Our bats showed up, we fought from the first pitch to the last and the energy and enthusiasm from each player was fantastic."
Tylia Sylestine opened the scoring with a two-RBI single to right field in the first inning, scoring
Paige Tamayo and
Tara Solomon.
After a UCO run in the bottom of the inning, Sylestine would respond with a two-run blast to left field in the top of the third.
A Broncho grand slam in the bottom of the inning set the stage for a three-run fifth inning for the Pioneers who regained the lead, 7-5.
Once again, the Bronchos would respond in the bottom half of the inning. A three-run bottom of the sixth would put the game out of reach as the Pioneers were held without a run through the final two innings.
"This was a different team that played UCO this time versus last weekend," Barker said. "I'm hopeful we've turned a corner and are starting to figure out who we are and want to be as a team."
Sylestine finished the game 2-for-2 at the plate with four RBI, two runs and a pair of walks drawn. Tamayo also produced a multi-hit game of her own going 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
"I'm proud of how we fought today," Barker said. "I look forward to tomorrow and the rest of the season with this team."
The Pioneers will conclude the weekend with a match up against tournament co-host Oklahoma Christian tomorrow at 2 p.m.
"We get an opportunity tomorrow to face a good team in OC," Barker added. "If we can get all aspects of our games rolling, we should have another competitive matchup."
