DENTON, Texas (April 1, 2022) – In game one on Friday, April 1, the Texas Woman's University softball team narrowly lost to No. 17 Lubbock Christian University, 3-2.
 
TWU (9-19, 4-13 Lone Star Conference) battled with No. 17 LCU (28-6, 14-4) in game one, but they lost game two 16-0.
 
The game started in exciting fashion, as TWU honored avid Pioneer softball supporter Paul Ingram, the TWU Mathematics Tutoring Coordinator, for earning the Distinguished Service to Student Life Award. Ingram threw out the first pitch of the day to kick off an exciting game one.
 
LCU struck first in the top of the second inning, but the Pioneers bounced back and tied it up quickly, 1-1.  
 
After stealing two bases, Jalee McDonald scored off a single to right field by Leah Deaver.
 
Then, in the top of the sixth inning, the Lady Chapparals hit a two-run home run to take the 3-1 lead, but not for long—TWU scored one run in the bottom of the sixth to get within one run, after McDonald scored on a single to center field by Missy Wise.
 
The Pioneers defense held firm, not allowing LCU to score in the top of the seventh inning. With the chance to tie or win in the bottom of the seventh, TWU was unable to get on the board.
 
On offense, Paige Tamayo and Deaver led with two hits each to contribute to seven total TWU hits.
 
McDonald (1-3), who scored the two runs for the Pioneers, pitched six innings. Kelsie Briggs stepped in in the top of the seventh inning and did not allow any runs.
 
In game two, the Pioneers started out strong on defense. They held the Lady Chapparals scoreless for two straight innings, before LCU caught some energy. They scored two runs in the top of the third and fourth innings, three in the fifth and nine runs in the sixth to win the game 16-0. Three home runs were hit in the game.
 
Briggs (4-8) started out in the circle for the Pioneers and allowed seven hits in 21 batters faced. Jules Malis and McDonald also pitched in the game for TWU. Malis faced nine batters and McDonald faced two batters.
 
TWU will be back in action on Sunday, April 3 against No. 14 Angelo State University at Dianne Baker Field at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.