DENTON, Texas (April 8, 2024) - After splitting the doubleheader with Eastern New Mexico on Sunday, the Texas Woman's softball team took the 7-3 victory to claim the Lone Star Conference series against Greyhounds during Monday's morning game.
TWU (19-25, 17-16) dominated the first five innings of the game, held the lead during all seven innings, and recorded a huge 13 hits game to take the win against ENMU (21-20, 14-20). The Pioneers defense and Alyssa LeBlanc were key to keep the Greyhounds off of the scoreboard for five straight innings.
The Pioneers took the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second after a scoreless first inning with a single from Vivica Hernandez that collected an RBI while Piper Morton made the run from second base to score the first one for TWU.
An eventful and thrilling third inning for the Pioneers with three runs, five hits and two runners left on base gave TWU the 4-0 lead held until the bottom of the fifth inning.
Ciana Rodriguez opened the bottom of the third walking to first base and Alyssa LeBlanc followed with a single up the middle in which Rodriguez took two bases. Makana Morton, who had a great offensive performance against St. Mary's and yesterday in the double header, singled to left field allowing Morton to score for TWU.
Piper Morton and Delaney Boley collected a couple of RBIs after hitting a single to center field and up the middle respectively.
After another scoreless fourth inning, the Pioneers were hungry for more and were one run away from taking the victory in five innings. Three more runs for TWU in the bottom of the fifth solidified the victory.
Three hits, two singles and a sacrifice hit, from Tylar Lane, Callie Bailey and Ciana Rodriguez brought the last three runs of the game for the Pioneers.
The Greyhounds who had only recorded one hit until the top of the sixth inning added one run in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh inning but it was not enough to avoid falling short to the Pioneers.
LeBlanc (10-7) who pitched all seven innings struck out eight Greyhounds out of 26 at bats she faced.
Bailey, LeBlanc, Elizabeth Smith, Piper and Makana Morton lead the Pioneers in hits with two each.
The Pioneers continue in the ninth position in the LSC ranking with three series left. TWU will go on the road to Kingsville, Texas to take on Texas A&M Kingsville, currently sixth in the standings. The doubleheader is set to schedule on Saturday, April 13 at 4 p.m.
TWU will continue on the road until April 26th, when they return to Dianne Baker Field for their last series of the regular season against St. Edward's.
-PIONEERS-
