DENTON, Texas (March 25, 2026) - The longest win streak for Texas Woman's softball advanced to seven Wednesday afternoon at Dianne Baker Field, with the Pioneers taking both games of their doubleheader against the Henderson State Reddies, 5-3 and 11-1.
Randi Crawford struck out five batters in game one for TWU (20-14, 14-6), but HSU (13-18, 6-9) led most of the game by a 2-0 score after the sophomore was pulled after three innings. However, after a flyout and RBI single tied the game in the sixth, Marissa Espinoza sent a pitch over the left-field wall to take a 5-2 lead, and Caydance Gaddis earned her second save of the season to secure the 5-3 win.
A pair of RBI singles and a sacrifice fly opened the scoring for TWU in the bottom of the first in game two, taking an early 3-0 lead. After allowing a run in the following inning, the Pioneers broke the game open with an eight-run fourth inning and shut out the Reddies in the final frame to secure the win in five innings.
IMPACT PLAYERS (2 games)
PIONEER POWER MOMENTS
Game One (TWU wins 5-3)
-
The scoring began for the Pioneers with one out in the bottom of the sixth, as Riley Todd lifted a fly ball to left field for the second out, allowing Lizzie Smith to score from third.
-
Zaryah Williams, in the following at-bat, connected on a 1-1 pitch to center field, singling and scoring Trinity Perry to tie the game at 2-2.
-
Next to the plate was Espinoza with two runners on and two outs, and the junior smashed a 2-2 pitch to left-center field for her fourth home run of the season, clearing the bases and giving TWU a 5-2 lead.
-
Gaddis entered in the top of the seventh in a bases-loaded jam, and despite allowing an additional Reddies run, she recorded the final two outs to earn her second save of the season and secure the win.
Game Two (TWU wins 11-1)
-
After Espinoza quickly advanced to third base following a double and stolen base in the bottom of the first, Tamia Cherry brought her home on a sacrifice fly to open the scoring.
-
Todd opened the pivotal bottom of the fourth in thrilling fashion, sending the first pitch she saw to right-center field and showcasing her speed to record a leadoff triple, the first of her career.
-
After Williams walked and subsequently stole second, Espinoza drilled a 1-2 pitch to left-center field, scoring two runs on a double to make it 5-1.
-
With Abby Mangrum remaining in the circle, the top of the fifth began with the freshman hitting the first Reddies batter with a pitch; however, HSU's hopes for a comeback were quickly dashed with a 5-4-3 double play. Mangrum then struck out the final batter to secure the 11-1 win.
NEXT UP
The Pioneers continue their weeklong homestand Friday afternoon at Dianne Baker Field, hosting the Midwestern State Mustangs for a doubleheader beginning with game one's first pitch at 4 p.m.
-PIONEERS-
