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TWU
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Life > Athletics > Softball > March 16
TWU SWEEPS MISSOURI VALLEY TO BEGIN HOMESTAND
 DENTON , Texas – The Texas Woman’s University softball team started their 14-game homestand with two victories over Missouri Valley College in non-conference action on a brisk night at Pioneer Field.
The Pioneers (14-8, 2-2) defeated the Vikings, 6-1 and 6-0, to remain unbeaten at home (10-0). The offense scored 12 runs on 13 hits while the pitchers struck out 19 for the sweep.
“Earlier today at practice we worked on getting out early and than faced a slow pitcher. That is part of the reason we didn’t hit as well,” head coach Dianne Baker said. “We played as hard as we needed to. The pitching was consistent but the hitting was inconsistent.”
The Pioneers took game one scoring six runs on six hits. TWU started the scoring in the first inning after Rachel Townsend crossed the plate after starting the game with a single through the left side.
TWU added two runs in the fourth and fifth innings as well. Stefani Easter hit her second home run of the season, a towering shot to left field, to begin the fifth frame.
Lindsey Russ-Keller (9-4) earned the complete game victory with eight strikeouts. She allowed just two hits and both of those were in the fourth inning.
Courtney Martin had two hits which she slapped through the right side. Townsend, Rhonda Sherman, Easter and Amanda Emory each added a base knock.
With TWU starter Amanda Chambless striking out a career-high 11 batters, seven hits and three Viking errors the Pioneers took game two.
Easter started the scoring by reaching on an error with one out in the third inning. Emory advanced her with a bunt single before Townsend moved them with a ground ball that Missouri Valley misplayed. Martin followed with a fielder’s choice back to the pitcher as Emory beat out the play at home. Lauren Gustartis doubled in Martin and Townsend to put TWU ahead 4-0.
The Pioneers added two more in the fourth. Stevie Smith led off with a hard hit triple to the left center field gap. Easter hit a RBI single to score Smith. Than Easter stole second, advanced to third and crossed the plate on a Townsend single.
Up next, TWU hosts Eastern New Mexico (13-14, 0-4) for a Lone Star Conference series beginning with a doubleheader on March 18 at 5/7 p.m.
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