CANYON, Texas (May 6, 2026) - Texas Woman's softball opened the 2026 Lone Star Conference Tournament with a 4-1 win over Western New Mexico on Wednesday, securing the program's first conference tournament victory since 2017.
Lizzie Smith powered TWU (30-25, 23-17) at the plate, launching a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning before adding a solo shot in the sixth. Randi Crawford earned the complete-game victory in the circle, striking out three as the Pioneers held WNMU (25-26, 21-19) to one run.
The victory marked TWU's third win over the Mustangs this season after sweeping a March 15 doubleheader. It also extended the Pioneers' winning streak against WNMU to seven games.
IMPACT PLAYERS
PIONEER POWER MOMENTS
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Smith wasted little time giving the Pioneers the lead, sending the first pitch of her first-inning at-bat over the left-field wall for a three-run homer and a 3-0 advantage.
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Leading off the bottom of the sixth, Smith connected on a 1-0 pitch and drove it over the center-field wall to extend the lead to 4-0.
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Western New Mexico broke through in the top of the seventh with two outs, but Crawford induced a flyout to center field to strand two runners and seal the victory.
FROM HEAD COACH GAY MCNUTT
"Proud of our team for getting this first win," head coach Gay McNutt said. "We've had a lot of firsts this season. Excited about playing WT tomorrow, but tonight we're going to enjoy this win and get back to business tomorrow."
UP NEXT
The Pioneers advance to the next round of the conference tournament and will face host West Texas A&M in Thursday's nightcap. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
-PIONEERS-
