CONROE, Texas (Feb. 4, 2023) - On Saturday, Feb. 4, Texas Woman's softball faced their first double header of the 2023 campaign against MSU Denver and Central Oklahoma. 
 
In both games, the Pioneers had an early start and scored the first run to take the lead. Ultimately, the opposing team MSU Denver topped the Pioneers 9-6, while Central Oklahoma closed the gap by one point to end the game 5-4. 
 
The Pioneers began the first inning against the Roadrunners by forcing a series of errors from the pitcher. Alexys Ginegaw took one for the team after being hit by the pitcher and advanced to first base, moving Tylar Lane up to second. 
 
Alyssa LeBlanc's (0-2) single out to center field positioned the Pioneers on all three bases. Eager to score, Lane took home base registering the Pioneers first run. 
 
In response to the Pioneers early start, the Roadrunners brought the heat and tripled to center field. A single to the right field gave the Roadrunners their first run of the day. The bottom of the first ended as the Roadrunners tallied two runs in the first inning. 
 
Hitting their stride in the second inning, the Roadrunners scored five runs on the Pioneers defensive errors.
 
The third and fourth inning ended in a stalemate. One additional run was scored in the bottom of the fifth by the Roadrunners on a walk. 
 
In the top of the sixth inning, a grounded double resulted in LeBlanc finding home plate to add to the Pioneers scoreboard. The Pioneers continued to press in the seventh inning to score four more runs. 
 
A pair of runs from Marlow and Lane after an error from third base provided LeBlanc with an opportunity to reach first. Followed by Delaney Boley's double to right field, that brought home Ginegaw and LeBlanc. 
 
Kelsie Briggs (0-1) took the mound and closed the game after pitching in six innings. 
 
The Pioneers were no strangers to taking an early lead in the first inning against Central Oklahoma. 
 
LeBlanc opened the second game on the mound and left two Broncho's on base while striking out three in a row in the top of the first. 
 
A deep drive out to right field from Ginegaw allowed Kennedy Marlow coming from third to score the first run. 
 
The Pioneers held the Broncos scoreless. Ginegaw singled a ball straight up the middle to land on first base. LeBlanc sent the Broncos running for the fences after scoring the first home run of the season, for a total of two runs to close the bottom of the fourth. 
 
Refusing to rollover quietly, the Broncos took the sixth inning to make their presence known. A triple to right center sent the first two Broncos home, followed by a double back to right center, to add two more runs to the board. 
 
It wasn't over for the Pioneers, as Kate Franz took off swiftly towards home plate on a bunt from Ciana Rodriguez. Forcing the Broncos to decide, Rodriguez advanced to first, while Franz tied the game. 
 
Both teams ended the seventh inning in a stalemate, giving it their all to the eighth inning. A home run from the Broncos sealed the game 5-4. 
 
LeBlanch pitched for all eight innings and registered two hits and one run to lead the Pioneers offensively. 
 
Ginegaw recorded one RBI and one run out of three at bats, following LeBlanch as an offensive leader. 
 
The Pioneers are set to close the DII Spring Invitational in a double header tomorrow, Feb. 5 at 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. against Regis and Pittsburg State.