Softball | 3/26/2022 1:52:00 AM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LAWTON, Okla. (March 25, 2022)— The Texas Woman's University softball team recorded eight hits in their game two win against Cameron University on Friday afternoon.
 
TWU (9-16, 4-10 Lone Star Conference) played two close games with Cameron (18-14, 6-8) in Lawton, Oklahoma. In the first game, the Aggies had the advantage and won 2-0, but the Pioneers flipped it in the second game to defeat Cameron 3-1 and record their fourth LSC win of the season.
 
"Having such a close first game got us fired up, so they responded well with a complete team win," TWU head coach Amber Barker said. "Our pitching staff did a great job in both games. Our defense really came to play in game two, and we had timely hitting— everything we needed for a team win."
 
Defense really shone as the Pioneers strength throughout both games. In game one, the Pioneers held the Aggie scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Cameron scored two runs off a single.
 
The Pioneers best chance to score came in the top of the second inning. At the top of the batting order, Missy Wise walked. A single by Cecily Rodriguez took Wise to second. Then, Taylor hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Rodriguez to second and Wise to third; however, the Pioneers next two batters were unable to bring Wise home.
 
Jalee McDonald (1-2), who started the game pitching for TWU, allowed only five hits from 23 batters faced in four innings of play. Jules Malis relieved McDonald in the bottom of the fifth inning and only allowed one hit.
 
The Pioneers recorded four hits in the game from four different Pioneers. Lily Wilson, Paige Tamayo, Gracelyn Taylor and Cecily Rodriguez each recorded one hit in the game. Tamayo led TWU with a double in the top of the sixth inning.
 
In the second game, the Pioneers adjusted and capitalized to get more runs on the board.
 
Cameron struck first in game two in the bottom of the first inning on one run.
 
Then, TWU found their groove in the top of the fourth inning.
 
With only one out on the board and the bases loaded after Wise was walked, Taylor steps up and continues to make big plays in clutch moments. Taylor singles to centerfield, giving enough time for Tamayo and McDonald to score.
 
Wise was brought home for the Pioneers third run of the game after a double down the right field line by Alexys Ginegaw.
 
Their three runs held strong as the Pioneers defense backed up their offensive effort to seal the 3-1 win in the bottom of the seventh inning.
 
TWU finished the game with eight hits. Brown and Wilson led the Pioneers with two hits each, and Taylor finished with a season high two RBIs.
 
Malis (4-8) received the start and the win for TWU—her fourth win of the season. She faced 27 batters, struck out one and allowed only six hits.
 
The Pioneers will be back in action on Sunday, March 27 for a doubleheader against No. 23 Oklahoma Christian University. The Pioneers will play at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Tom Heath Field in Edmond, Oklahoma.