WICHITA FALLS, Texas (March 25, 2023) – Texas Woman's softball kicked off their Lone Star Conference series with Midwestern State in a 9-0 road win on Saturday afternoon in Wichita Falls, Texas.
 
It was a complete team effort for TWU (17-17, 11-14) this afternoon to secure game one of the three-game series against MSU (3-28, 2-20). Seven Pioneers scored runs, including Alyssa LeBlanc and Hannah Schnettler with one home run each, followed by Kennedy Marlow and Ciana Rodriguez for two runs each. In addition, Lauren Trinh, Delaney Boley and Avery Boley each added one run for the Pioneers.
 
In the top of the first inning, the Mustangs walked three of the Pioneers' big hitters. The Pioneers claimed all three bases but were unable to find home to start the game
 
To open the second inning, Ciana Rodriquez was hit by a pitch, Kate Franz hit a single and LeBlanc was walked to load the bases for the Pioneers, who were hoping to kick off the scoring sequence. Nevertheless, the Pioneers were once again left stranded, making them eager to score in the top of the third. 
 
The Pioneers found their spark in the top of the third frame. After being walked, Delaney Boley advanced to second, r when the Mustangs walked Schnettler. 
 
With Delaney Boley and Schnettler on base, Makana Morton doubled to left center, her second double of the season, to bring Delaney Boley home and kick off the scoring for TWU, making it 1-0 in the top of the third.
 
The Mustangs right side was placed under pressure from the Pioneers in the top of the fourth inning First, LeBlanc tested the waters with a fly ball to right field for an easy out. Then, Marlow tripled to right center, and Trinh came behind with a single down the right field line, bringing Marlow home  and giving the Pioneers the lead, 2-0.
 
With Avery Boley and Trinh in prime scoring position, Schnettler hit a dinger to left field to record a season high three RBIs and increase the Pioneers lead over the Mustangs to 5-0. 
 
The Mustangs made a change in the circle before the fifth inning was underway. To open, Ciana Rodriguez singled to shortstop, and then stole second. Kate Franz plated straight up the middle, taking first base, and Ciana Rodriguez advanced to third.
 
LeBlanc stepped up to the plate and attempted to bring home Ciana Rodriguez with a hit, but instead created a double play opportunity for the Mustangs, who got LeBlanc and Franz out. 
 
With two outs, the Mustangs underestimated the Pioneers' swiftness after they sent Marlow to first on a walk. The Mustangs quickly regretted it once Ciana Rodriguez stole home plate and Marlow followed to steal second. Trinh singled to right field as Marlow scored her second run of the afternoon, giving Trinh her second RBI of the afternoon.
 
The Mustangs stopped the Pioneers momentarily in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Pioneers opened the top of the seventh inning, 7-0, with every intention of increasing their runs. 
 
Ciana Rodriguez took first base after a single to the left side. She then stole second, and advanced to third on an error from the Mustangs' catcher. Center field for the Mustangs committed an additional error, allowing Ciana Rodriguez to score. To cap off the scoring for the Pioneers, LeBlanc recorded a home run to left field to close the game, 9-0.
 
The Pioneers held the Mustangs scoreless in game one of the series. LeBlanc led the charge from the circle and is now 10-7 on the season. In a full seven innings of play, LeBlanc allowed one hit, walked two, and struck out 11 for a total of 112 pitches.
 
On Sunday, March 26, the Pioneers will play a double header against the Mustangs to close out the series. Game two is set to begin at 2 p.m. followed by game three shortly after.