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TWU
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Life > Athletics > Softball > March 8
PIONEERS PREVAIL IN PITCHERS DUAL
 DENTON , Texas – The No. 24 Texas Woman’s University softball team employed its pitching and defense until the offense put a run on the board to defeat Southeastern Oklahoma State , 1-0.
The Pioneers (10-5) and Lady Savages (18-9) each had four hits. TWU remains perfect (8-0) at home with the win.
Crystal Hankel got the start in the circle for TWU but didn’t get out of the second inning. After being called for four illegal pitches in the first inning, she walked SEOSU’s Jayme Baker on a ball four illegal pitch in the second frame. Then pinch runner Elicia Marquez advanced to second base on another illegal pitch. At that point, Lindsy Russ-Keller entered the game.
“I thought it was well played ball game on both teams part which turned out to be a pitching dual. It was unfortunate for Crystal we had to take her out of the game because of mechanical issues that the umpire was picking up. Lindsy came in and supported her and the team played very good defense,” head coach Dianne Baker said. “We were hitting the ball hard at times, but they had a very nice pitcher and are a very successful team.”
Rachel Townsend started the game with a single and stole second but was left there. In the third, Stefani Easter reached on a Lady Savage error and stole second but the Pioneers struck out, lined out and fouled out to end the inning. Megan Helms hit a one-out single in the fifth but was called out for leaving early which removed her from the bases.
With the game still scoreless in the sixth, Courtney Martin bunted her way on with two outs. Martin advanced to second on a passed ball and Rhonda Sherman walked to put runners at first and second for Amanda Danesi. She deposited the 1-1 pitch into left center field for a RBI single to put the Pioneers on top.
“There were two outs when we got our run. Usually it just takes somebody stepping up, if someone will start it we have a shot,” Baker added. “Courtney stepped up and got herself on, then Amanda took the challenge and got the job done. It was a great ball game.”
That was all the support Russ-Keller needed as she retired the Lady Savages in order to end the game. Russ-Keller earned her sixth win of the season striking out four batters.
Next, TWU begins Lone Star Conference South Division action at Texas A&M-Kingsville. The first contest of the four-game series is on March 11 at 5:00 p.m.
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