DENTON, Texas (Feb. 19, 2022) – A double by Briana Yale in the second game of the day proved to be the difference maker for the Texas Woman's University softball team, leading them to a split on Saturday against Ottawa University.
 
TWU (5-6) scored four runs in two games against Ottawa (5-4-1), dropping the first game 4-3 and winning the second game 2-1.
 
The first game of the afternoon was a tight battle and remained scoreless until the third inning. In the top of the third inning, Madison Bunfill of Ottawa tripled down the left field line to score three runs and Ottawa added one more run in the third to take a 4-0 lead.
 
The Pioneers answered in the bottom of third and scored two runs to cut the deficit in half. Nya Brown hit a double to left field and Kristin Rodriguez scored. Then, Brown stole third and was able to score off a single by Lily Wilson.
 
Still trailing by two, the Pioneers managed to score one more run, by Missy Wise, in the bottom of the sixth inning, but could not find the tying or winning run.
 
Seven different Pioneers recorded hits in the loss: Brown, Wilson, Wise, Yale and Rodriguez. Rodriguez led with two hits.
 
Jules Malis (2-4) pitched all seven innings for TWU, striking out nine batters and allowing seven hits.
 
After losing the first game by one run, TWU answered with the win in the second game.
 
"I was proud of our fight in game two," TWU head coach Amber Barker said. "We proved resilient and hung on for the win."
 
The second game proved to be a defensive, low scoring contest. Ottawa scored first in the top of the second inning to take an early 1-0 lead.
 
The following three innings would remain scoreless, until the Pioneers put two runs on the board to seal the win.
 
With two outs on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning, Yale stepped up to the plate and on a 2-2 count doubled to right field, which allowed Rodriguez and Wilson to score. Those two runs proved to be the winning runs. 

A double play by TWU in the top of the seventh inning prevent Ottawa from answering and selled the win for the Pioneers. 
 
Jalee McDonald started at pitcher for the Pioneers. McDonald pitched two innings and gave up one run. Kelsie Briggs (2-1) entered the game in the third inning, struck out three batters and allowed no runs to record the win.
 
The Pioneers return to action at Dianne Baker Field on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. They will play a doubleheader against Ouachita Baptist University at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.