ADA, Okla. (Feb. 15, 2022) – In Texas Woman's University softball 1-1 split with East Central University, Missy Wise hit her first career home run and Paige Tamayo added her second home run of the season.
 
TWU (4-5) traveled to Ada, Okla. for midweek nonconference softball action against ECU (2-5). In the first game, the Tigers won 6-3, but TWU responded and won the second game 9-1.
 
"The offensive production in game two was exciting to see," TWU head coach Amber Barker said. "We had a mix of short game, the long ball and ran the bases well. We definitely found a variety of ways to manufacture runs, and for Jules and our defense to hold ECU to 1 run after them putting up 6 in the previous game was a great response."
 
ECU opened the first game with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Then, TWU answered in the top of the second off a single by Rylee Lara to allow Leah Deaver scored.
 
On the windy day in Ada, the Tigers took advantage of the weather first, crushing a home run over left field to take a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second.
 
Facing a 4-1 deficit in the top of the fifth inning, Nya Brown gave the Pioneers an opportunity to score. She grounded out to the Tigers shortstop, which allowed enough time for Kristin Rodriguez to cross home. Nevertheless, the Tigers again had an answer for the Pioneers, putting up two more runs in the bottom of the sixth.
 
In the top of the seventh, Kristin Rodriguez singled to the shortstop and Leah Deaver scored, but with two outs already on the board it would not be enough to overcome the deficit.
 
Kelsie Briggs (1-1) pitched three innings for the Pioneers and took her first loss of the season. Jalee McDonald relieved Briggs striking out two batters and walking one.
 
The Pioneers recorded six hits in the first game, Deaver led with two hits.
 
After the first game result, TWU responded with energy, strong bats and a lot of runs.
 
In the top of the first inning, the Pioneers kicked it off with two runs out of the gate. Paige Tamayo singled up the middle and Lily Wilson scored. Then, Tamayo crossed home off a double by Briana Yale.
 
TWU brought in two more runs in the top of the second inning to take an early 4-0 lead. Wilson opened up the scoring with a single up the middle, then an errant throw by the Tigers allowed Brown and Kristin Rodriguez the chance to score.
 
Wise turned up the heat in the top of the third, crushing her first career home run over the left field fence to give the Pioneers a 5-0 lead.
 
ECU got one run on the board in the bottom of the third, but the Pioneers sealed the win in the fourth inning by pouring on four runs.
 
With Kristin Rodriguez having just stolen second base, Brown stepped up and hit a beautiful ball over second base to left center and Kristin Rodriguez scored.
 
Then, Brown stole third and Wilson was walked, which set up two runners on base for Tamayo's at bat. Wind and a perfect pitch set Tamayo up for a deep three-run home run—her second of the season and 20th of her career.
 
Three outs for the Pioneers in the top of fifth wrapped up the game and gave TWU their fourth win of the season.
 
Jules Malis (2-3) pitched all five innings for the Pioneers and recorded a season high five strikeouts.
 
TWU recorded 10 hits. Brown, Wilson and Tamayo led the Pioneers with two each.
 
The Pioneers will return home to Dianne Baker Field to play a doubleheader against Ottowa University on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.