SAN ANTONIO, Texas (April 21, 2023) – Texas Woman's (23-27, 15-24) softball dropped the Lone Star Conference series finale, 8-3, to St. Mary's (31-21, 21-18).
 
The Pioneers ended the series 1-2 after splitting a pair of games with the Rattlers on Thursday afternoon.
 
Unlike game two, the Pioneers held the Rattlers from scoring until the third inning. The Rattlers tallied three runs with a triple to right field, then followed up with a double to right field to lead the Pioneers 4-0.  
 
In the fourth inning, Kennedy Marlow took first after sending a single to right field. With a double to center field from Alyssa LeBlanc, Marlow advanced to third, putting both Pioneers in prime scoring position.
 
Tylar Lane recorded the RBI, after a hit to the pitcher brought Marlow in to score the first run of the day for the Pioneers.
 
The Rattlers ended the Pioneers' scoring in the fourth with an out at third base, then proceeded to score three additional runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, increasing their lead to 7-1.
 
Both teams were held scoreless in the fifth inning, leaving the Pioneers to rally in the sixth. The Pioneers managed to cut the Rattlers lead to four runs, 7-3, when LeBlanc knocked one out of the park, bringing Marlow with her for two RBIs.
 
The Rattlers ended this afternoon's scoring with an additional run in the bottom of the sixth with a sacrifice fly out to right field for the RBI, closing the game 8-3.
 
Game three closed with three consecutive outs as the Pioneers made the final scoring push in the seventh inning.
 
The Pioneers leaned on three of their pitchers this afternoon. From the circle, LeBlanc (16-12) opened game three, throwing in the first three innings and striking out four batters.
 
Janyssa Ramos came in as relief in the bottom of the fourth inning for the next two innings, then Allison Gonzalez, in the bottom of the sixth, closed the series for the Pioneers.
 
The Pioneers return to Dianne Baker Field April 28-29 against Western New Mexico for the final series of the 2023 season. On Friday, April 28, the Pioneers welcome all TWU softball alumni as they host Alumni Night with a double-header beginning at 4 p.m.
 
In the final game of the series on Saturday, April 29, the Pioneers will say farewell to their seniors Kelsie Briggs, Avery Boley and Brooklyn Goines. The first pitch goes off at 1 p.m. with the senior celebration beginning 20 minutes prior to first pitch.