CANYON, Texas (March 2, 2024) – To open the month of March, the Texas Woman's softball team traveled to Canyon, Texas to face West Texas A&M.

TWU (11-10, 9-5) dropped the first two games of the three-game series against WT (19-1, 11-0) on Saturday afternoon.

In the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, the Pioneers started off hot in the opening inning.

Vivica Hernandez led off for TWU and opened the top of the first inning with a single through the left side. Then, Callie Bailey, batting in the second spot, was walked and Hernandez advanced to second base.

Two Pioneers struck out, but with two outs on the board Piper Morton stepped up to the plate and hit a triple to right center – hitting the first triple of her career. Piper Morton's triple scored Bailey and Hernandez to give the Pioneers' the early advantage, 2-0.

The two RBI's marked Piper Morton's fourth game with more than one RBI, and her ninth game recording at least one hit.

After closing the first inning with a 2-0 lead, Alyssa LeBlanc (5-3) stepped into the circle for the Pioneers. On the day, LeBlanc pitched six innings and allowed nine hits and five runs. After giving up five runs in the first two innings, LeBlanc would hold the Lady Buffs scoreless for the remainder of the game.

LeBlanc finished with a season high 12 strikeouts – marking her fourth game with 10 or more strikeouts.

After going down 5-2, the Pioneers responded in the top of the third inning. Bailey opened the inning with a walk. Then, Cristyna Del Hierro grounded out to third base, and Bailey advanced to second. Then, Bailey utilized her speed to steal third base.

This marked Bailey's fifth game with one or more stolen bases. 

With Bailey in scoring position, LeBlanc stepped up to the plate and delivered, hitting a single to left field to record the RBI, as Bailey delivered the third run of the day for TWU.

The remaining four innings would be zeros across the board for both teams, as the Pioneers fell in game one, 5-3.

TWU finished with five hits on the day. Hernandez, Del Hierro, LeBlanc, Piper Morton and Delaney Boley were responsible for the five hits.

In the second game of the day, the Pioneers defense held strong for the first three innings.

Jaycie Hall (2-3) started in the circle for TWU. She pitched three innings and faced five batters in the fourth inning. She recorded three strikeouts on the day and allowed four hits.

The Lady Buffs recorded their scoring barrage in the bottom of the fourth inning, recording seven runs. Then, in the fifth inning, they scored one run to close the game in five innings and record the win, 8-0.

Allison Gonzalez entered the circle for the Pioneers in the fourth inning and faced eight batters. She finished the game with one strikeout.

The Pioneers saw their best opportunity to score in the top of the fifth inning. With one out on the board, Boley singled up the middle. After Madison Altman entered to pinch run for Boley, Makana Morton stepped up to the plate and hit a double to left center, which advanced Altman to third base. With only one out, the Pioneers had a chance, but were unable to bring Altman home.

TWU closed the second game with two hits, courtesy of Boley and Makana Morton.

The Pioneers will be back in action tomorrow to close the three-game series against the Lady Buffs. Game Three is slated to start at 3 p.m.