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BATS PROPEL TWU TO VICTORIES OVER ENMU
DENTON , Texas – The Texas Woman’s University softball team put up season-high numbers on offense to beat Eastern New Mexico in Lone Star Conference action.
The Pioneers (16-8, 4-2) won game one, 6-0, and game two, 11-3 in six innings, over the Zias (13-16, 0-6) to remain perfect at Pioneer Field (12-0). It was a match-up between the top pitching and defensive team, TWU, and the top hitting team, ENMU, in the league.
“I think when we were able to jump on them early. We established the type of play we were going to have tonight,” head coach Dianne Baker said. “The players warmed up with an intensity I haven’t seen in a long time. They seemed to be on a mission. It was nice to see bats come around tonight consistently. We also responded every time they did something we did something.”
The Pioneers hit on all cylinders with consistent pitching, solid defense and a complete offensive effort. Behind a season-high 14 hits and 30 at bats, the Pioneers were aggressive at the plate to win game one.
In the first inning, the Pioneers scored two runs on three hits. After Courtney Martin reached on a bunt single before Amanda Danesi tripled to right field. Amanda Arnold followed with a RBI double.
Amanda Emory demonstrated the tight defensive effort with a diving catch for the first out in the top of the second frame and added another headfirst grab in game two.
The Pioneers added a run with four hits in the third inning. Danesi hit a one-out single up the middle. Amanda Arnold followed with a single of her own. Tiffany Nance entered the game to run for Danesi at that point. Megan Helms advanced everyone a base with a single to right field. Next, Sarah White plated Nance with a RBI base hit up the middle after fouling off a number of pitches.
TWU added insurance runs in the fourth and fifth innings knocking ENMU starter Rosemary Moreno out of the game. Danesi led the offense with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate including a run and RBI. Four other players added two hits.
Lindsey Russ-Keller (10-4) earned the complete game victory with six strikeouts. Moreno (3-5) took the loss for the Zias allowing all 14 hits in four innings.
ENMU’s Christina Helland started game two with a triple to right center field. Adriana Reyes followed with a single to score her and put the Zias ahead 1-0.
TWU answered in the bottom of the inning as Rachel Townsend hit a triple to right field and scored on a wild pitch. Megan Helms led off the second inning with a double off the top of the left field fence as the Pioneers scored three runs on three hits to lead, 4-1.
The Zias added two more runs with one in the third and another in the sixth but couldn’t slow down the TWU offense. The Pioneers added five runs on one hit and four walks in the third inning.
Needing two runs to enforce the run rule in the sixth inning Emory started the inning with a bunt single. Townsend advanced her with a sacrifice bunt than Emory stole third. Martin grounded out to plate Emory. After Rhonda Sherman walked pinch hitter Stevie Smith single up the middle and advanced to second on the throw. Arnold ended the game with a triple down the right field line. The 12 runs was the Pioneers best offensive output of the season.
Amanda Chambless earned her sixth win of the year, allowing eight hits and three runs (two earned) with four k’s. Townsend was 3-for-3 in game two with three RBI’s and one run.
“I reminded the team we have to play tomorrow, they have some great hitters. Our pitching staff did a great job and kept them off balance,” Baker added.
The Pioneers and Zias wrap up the series with a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 1:00 p.m. As part of Kids Day an Easter Egg Hunt will be held between the games.
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