DENTON, Texas (April 28, 2023) – In a tight double header split, Texas Woman's (25-28, 17-25) softball closed the 2023 regular season, 2-1, over Western New Mexico (9-41, 5-16) Friday afternoon at Dianne Baker Field.  
 
The Pioneers struggled to close, leaving eight on base, for the Mustangs to claim game two, 2-1. Luckily, the Pioneers held off the weather long enough to defeat the Mustangs in walk off victory, 2-1, for the series finale.
 
In a full seven innings, Janyssa Ramos (2-9) fought tooth and nail to hold the Mustangs to only two runs. With 106 pitches, Ramos struck out two Mustangs and tallied no walks.
 
The Mustangs started scoring in the second inning. With two runners on second and third, the Mustangs sent a single up the middle for an unearned run and RBI.
 
Later, in the bottom of the third inning, the Pioneers responded, as Alexys Ginegaw singled to left field, then advanced to second, after the Mustangs sent Ciana Rodriguez to first base on a walk. With two Pioneers on base, Kennedy Marlow was up to bat.
 
Marlow followed up with a bunt, disabling the Mustangs, as they committed an error on the throw. Ginegaw scored on the throw to tie the ball game, 1-1.
 
For three innings, the Pioneers and the Mustangs remained scoreless until the seventh inning when the Mustangs ended game two with a double to right field for a single run to win the game, 2-1.
 
Not long after, both teams returned to the field to beat the rain and break the series tie.
 
The Pioneers wasted no time and kicked off the scoring in the first inning of game three with a sacrifice fly from Avery Boley for Tylar Lane to score. 
 
Three innings passed before the Mustangs responded with a run in the fifth inning.
 
In the final inning, Marlow singled up the middle to take first, followed by Lane with a single to right field. With Pioneers on first and second, Alyssa LeBlanc registered the game winning RBI with a single up the middle to Marlow bring home, 2-1.
 
LeBlanc (18-12) started in the circle in the series finale and extended her record to 18-12, after throwing a full seven innings. In 102 pitches, LeBlanc struck out 14 Mustangs and walked three.
 
As a team, the Pioneers recorded 42 putouts, with 21 in each game. Delaney Boley led the charge in putouts with 14 in game three, followed by Avery Boley with seven putouts in game two.
 
The Pioneers are now wait for final conference matches to conclude this weekend in hopes of making it into the Lone Star Conference tournament.