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Life > Athletics > Softball > March 19
PIONEERS SPLIT WITH ZIAS TO TAKE THREE OF FOUR GAMES
DENTON , Texas – Lacking an offensive punch, the Texas Woman’s University softball team split with Eastern New Mexico in Lone Star Conference action at Pioneer Field.
The Pioneers (17-9, 5-3) won game one, 1-0 in nine innings, and dropped game two, 0-4, to the Zias (14-17, 1-7). TWU took three of four games from ENMU in the conference series. The loss in game two was the first home defeat this season in 14 games.
“I thought the pitching stayed intact for us today. They did another great job but our hitting went south,” head coach Dianne Baker said. “We were not as intense in coming to the ballpark today. Half the team was pressing and the other half was lackadaisical. Some people let up and some got tight. I was happy to get first game; we put up a good fight.”
It took the Pioneers nine innings but they won game one. After just two hits and four base runners in the first six innings they threatened to score in the seventh and eighth frames before getting a run across.
Amanda Arnold doubled to start the seventh and Megan Helms advanced her to third with a sacrifice bunt. With one out Stevie Smith entered to pinch hit for Sarah White. Smith lifted the ball into left center field as Arnold tagged up. ENMU centerfielder Adina Taul made a perfect throw to get Arnold at the plate and send the game into extra innings.
In the bottom of the eighth, Stefani Easter singled through the left side to reach base. Amanda Emory followed with a base hit right back at the pitcher. Rachel Townsend advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt. With runners on second and third, Courtney Martin lined out to second base and the Zias doubled up Easter at third base to end the rally.
In the ninth frame, Sherman hit a single down the left field line and was sacrificed to second base by Amanda Danesi. Arnold ended the game with a single through the middle to score Sherman and win the game for TWU.
Lindsy Russ-Keller threw a five-hit shutout with five strikeouts to earn her 11 th victory of the year. Sherman and Arnold each had two hits. Arnold is leading the team with seven multiple hit games this season.
In game two, TWU started a comeback in the seventh inning with an Arnold double off the left field wall. Pinch hitter Lauren Gustartis was hit by the first pitch and Easter walked to load the bases for Emory. Emory hit into a fielder’s choice as Arnold was forced out at home. Townsend grounded out to leave the bases loaded and end the contest.
The Pioneers left seven runners on base. Sherman, Ashley Hartley and Arnold each had one of the team’s three hits.
“All day long we struggled to get people on and get into our offensive strategy. We like to “run and gun” but we were not on to create scoring opportunities,” Baker added. “I am happy with three of four; it is hard to get a sweep.”
TWU returns to action on March 29 with a non-conference doubleheader against Oklahoma Panhandle State beginning at 5:00 p.m.
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