DENTON, Texas (March 18, 2022) – Jalee McDonald led the Texas Woman's University softball team with two hits and two RBIs, as the Pioneers lost two games to No. 1 University of Texas – Tyler on Friday.  
 
TWU (8-13, 3-7 Lone Star Conference) continued their Lone Star Conference slate against nationally ranked teams on Friday afternoon at Dianne Baker Field. The Pioneers scored four runs in game one but lost 10-4. Then, in game two, the Patriots closed the sweep of TWU with a 14-0 win in five innings of play.
 
UT-Tyler (23-1, 9-1) has been atop the 2022 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll for five straight weeks with their only loss being to the reigning National Champions, West Texas A&M University, by two runs.
 
The Pioneers kicked off the day at noon at Dianne Baker Field in an early doubleheader. In game one, it took the Pioneers a few innings to heat up. The Patriots scored five runs in the top of the second inning and three runs in the top of the third inning of a three-run homerun by Michelle Arias.
 
Down eight, TWU started coming alive in the bottom of the fourth inning. The momentum began in the top of the fourth inning with Paige Tamayo recording every Patriot out. The Pioneers faced three batters and each one grounded out to Tamayo at second base.
 
Then, in the bottom of the fifth inning, McDonald singled down the left field line to score Tamayo, after Tamayo got on a base with a single of her own. The Patriots pitcher, Payton Foster, walked Leah Deaver, which loaded the bases for TWU. Briana Yale stepped up to bat and hit a sacrifice fly to left center to score pinch runner Kate Franz.
 
With two Pioneers on base, Foster, the Patriots pitcher, walked her third batter of the inning to again but TWU in a bases-loaded situation. Foster was then replaced by Kaylee Davis, and Cecily Rodriguez entered the game to pinch hit for TWU. On her first pitch, Davis hit Cecily Rodriguez with the pitch, which scored McDonald. In another bases loaded situation for TWU, Nya Brown stepped up to bat. She made contact with the ball, but TWU runner, Kristin Rodriguez was called out at second for interference.
 
The Pioneers closed the fourth inning with three runs and two hits.
 
To keep the momentum rolling, TWU's defense again held strong in the top of the fifth inning, as the Patriots hit three ground outs to close the inning.
 
On incredible hustle in the bottom of the fifth inning, Tamayo scored from first base on a McDonald single. McDonald popped up a high hit near the pitcher's mound. The Patriots shortstop sprinted across the field but missed the ball, which allowed Tamayo to round all three bases and score her second run of the game, bringing TWU within four.
 
In the top of the sixth inning, the Patriots hit their second homerun of the game—a two run homer by Tatum Goff—to increase their lead, 10-4.
 
The Pioneers would go scoreless in the sixth and seventh inning to drop the first game 10-4.
 
Jules Malis (3-7) recorded the loss from the pitcher's circle for the Pioneers. McDonald also pitched in game one and recorded one strikeout.
 
TWU finished with six hits in the first game. Tamayo and McDonald led the Pioneers with two hits each. Missy Wise and Deaver also recorded hits for the Pioneers.  
 
Game two went the way of the Patriots. They hit three doubles and one triple to complete the sweep of the Pioneers with a 14-0 win in five innings of action.
 
The Pioneers recorded three hits in the game. Brown, Deaver and Cecily Rodriguez each finished with one hit.
 
Kelsie Briggs (4-5) got the start for TWU at pitcher and recorded three strikeouts. Jules Malis also pitched for the Pioneers and finished with two strikeouts.
 
TWU will continue their LSC homestand on Sunday, March 19 against another nationally ranked team. The Pioneers will face No. 20 Texas A&M University – Commerce at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in a doubleheader at Dianne Baker Field.