DENTON, Texas (April 25, 2024) – The regular season came to close today for the Texas Woman's softball team at Dianne Baker Field.

In their final doubleheader of the regular season, TWU (25-28, 23-19) split the day with St. Edward's (18-34, 16-26). The Pioneers claimed the win in game one, 4-1, but fell in game two, 6-1.

It was a great day at the ballpark, as TWU celebrated six seniors who left an incredible impact on Pioneer softball – Alexys Ginegaw, Kate Franz, Alyssa LeBlanc, Delaney Boley, Jalee McDonald and Makana Morton. These six Pioneers helped usher in a new era of Pioneer softball – one that will see the Pioneers return to the LSC tournament for the first time since 2017.

Despite some light rain coming down during the first game at Dianne Baker Field, the Pioneers weathered the storm and brought their own lightning on offense.

TWU once again opened the game with great defense, holding the Hilltoppers scoreless through three innings of play.

When the Hilltoppers broke through in the top of the fourth inning, TWU held them to just one run and then turned around and had the answer in the bottom of the inning.

In the leadoff spot for the inning, LeBlanc stepped up to the plate and hit a double down the left field line to start it off for TWU. After Ciana Rodriguez entered to pinch run for LeBlanc, she advanced to third on a sac bunt by Elizabeth Smith. Piper Morton continued the offensive energy for the Pioneers with a single to left field to record an RBI, as Rodriguez crossed home.

Then, Piper Morton reaped her own reward and scored a run on a throw that caught Delaney Boley stealing.

TWU would enter the fifth inning with the 2-1 advantage. Nevertheless, the Pioneers were not done yet. They would quickly add one run in the fifth inning.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Madison Altman started off the inning by drawing a walk to get on base and then stole second to get in scoring position – recording her third stolen base on the season. Altman was then able to cross home, after Vivica Hernandez hit a double to left center to record the RBI and increase the Pioneers' lead to 3-1. The double for Hernandez marked her ninth double of the season.

The Pioneers would add one more run in the bottom the sixth. Once again, the leadoff hitter struck for TWU, as Smith single through the left side to get on base. Then, Piper Morton continued her momentum at the plate, hitting a triple to right center to score Lauryn Davies, who entered to pinch run for Smith, and increase TWU's lead to 4-1.

It marked Piper Morton's second career triple and sixth game this season with multiple hits in a game.

The Pioneers' defense would continue to hold the Hilltoppers scoreless the remainder of the game, as TWU would claim the second win of the series, 4-1.

Jaycie Hall (6-8) recorded the start and the win in the circle for the Pioneers. She had one strikeout and allowed just three hits in the game.

In game three of the series, SEU struck first with a run in the top of the third inning, but TWU answered and quickly tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Makana Morton hit a single to center to score Rodriguez, who entered to pinch run for LeBlanc who got on base on an error by the Hilltoppers.

TWU was unable to put any more runs on the board, as SEU would score five more to win the final game of the series 6-1.

LeBlanc (15-12) recorded the start and the loss in the circle for TWU. She finished the day with seven strikeouts and now sits just 15 strikeouts away from 1,000 on her career.

The Pioneers closed the regular season and currently sit in seventh place in the Lone Star Conference standings, and the top 10 teams make the tournament. The final tournament seedings and matchups will be announced this weekend.