Texas Women's University: Pioneers Weather The Storm And Sweep The Savage Storm In Midweek Matchup

PIONEERS WEATHER THE STORM AND SWEEP THE SAVAGE STORM IN MIDWEEK MATCHUP | https://twuathletics.com/

By North Texas News report

Mar 31, 2023

Pioneers Weather The Storm And Sweep The Savage Storm In Midweek Matchup

Texas Woman's (19-19, 11-16) softball swept Southeastern Oklahoma State (19-16, 13-4) on Wednesday night – the Pioneers first win against the Savage Storm since 2010.

In game one, the Pioneers held the Savage Storm to a run-rule victory, 9-1. This is the Pioneers' second early finish resulting in a victory this season. The Pioneers went to battle in game two and weathered the storm through eight innings for the win, 5-4.

Several Pioneers were heavy hitters and produced 10 hits in game one. Leading the Pioneers from the plate was Alyssa LeBlanc (3-for-3) and Avery Boley (3-for-3). Tylar Lane, Hannah Schnettler, Missy Wise and Kennedy Marlow recorded one hit each.

The Savage Storm kicked off the scoring in the first inning of game one. With a double to left field, the Savage Storm scored a single run and one RBI. For the next four innings, Southeastern was riddled scoreless by the Pioneers.

LeBlanc opened the bottom of the first with a leadoff single to left field . Then, Lane followed with a single to second base, and Lane and LeBlanc were both able to advance on a Savage Storm error. With Pioneers on second and third, Avery Boley recorded the RBI, bringing LeBlanc home.

Two more at-bats for the Pioneers would bring up a bases loaded situation, with Avery Boley and Delaney Boley in scoring position. Then, Avery Boley found her opportunity to score, as Ciana Rodriguez drew a walk and notched an RBI.

The Pioneers were up by two, 3-1, as Kennedy Marlow stepped up to the plate. With a single to center field from Marlow, Delaney Boley tallied another run for the Pioneers.

TWU proceeded to add two more runs to push the lead to 6-1 off a single to center field from LeBlanc's second at bat in the inning. The final two runs of the inning from Ciana Rodriguez and Schnettler would cap off an explosive six-run opening inning for the Pioneers.

For the next two innings, the Pioneers remained scoreless, until they found their stride again in the fourth inning, tallying three runs.

LeBlanc stepped up to the plate and hammered the only home run of the night.

The Pioneers concluded their scoring in game one with Missy Wise recording two RBIson a single to right center, which scored Avery Boley and Lauren Trinh.

LeBlanc (12-8) pitched all five innings for the Pioneers striking out 12 batters. Tonight, LeBlanc broke the TWU record for most strikeouts in a single season, after striking out two batters in the first inning. The former record, set by Carly Case in 2010, was 185. After tonight, LeBlanc has 197 total strikeouts on the season.

There were no spring showers in sight, as the Savage Storm started game two with a vengeance.

The Pioneers trailed early in the first inning, as Southeastern added three runs on two doubles and an error.

The Savage Storm held TWU scoreless in the first inning, but the Pioneers found their offensive fire in the second.

In the second inning, the Pioneers attempted to tie the game, but fell short of one run, 3-2 Ciana Rodriguez's double to center field brought Delaney Boley home. Then, Missy Wise scored on an error from the Savage Storm to bring the Pioneers within one.

The Savage Storm kept the pressure on the Pioneers and recorded another run in the fifth inning to increase their lead, 4-2However, this would end the Savage Storm's scoring for the night.

The Pioneers turned the game around in the final two innings.

Down by two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, TWU dug deep and found a way. Ciana Rodriguez started off the hitting with a single to center field. Then, Kennedy Marlow rode the momentum and used a ground out to advance Ciana Rodriguez to second base. With two outs on the board, the Savage Storm elected to intentionally walk LeBlanc.

Tylar Lane stepped up to bat with two runners on base. Then, Ciana Rodriguez took a risk that paid off and brought the Pioneers fans to their feet, as she stole third and slide into scoring position. Feeding off of the exciting energy, Lane doubled to left field for two RBIs , as LeBlanc and Rodriguez crossed home to force extra innings..

In the top of the seventh, the Pioneers' defense held their ground and kept the Savage Storm scoreless.

The Pioneers truly stole the show in the bottom of the seventh. In a similar situation to the bottom of the seventh, Makana Morton faced two outs, but she had one runner on third. In clutch fashion, Makana Morton singled to right field for Kate Franz to score the game winning run and make the fans at Dianne Baker Field erupt in cheers.

In the circle, Allison Gonzalez (1-2) allowed one run, seven hits, and struck out five batters for a total of 89 pitches. In a game changing substitution, LeBlanc (12-8) became the closer and threw for the final inning of the night, recording the win for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers now turn their attention to Oklahoma Christian for their next Lone Star Conference matchup. On Wednesday, April 5 at 6 p.m. at Dianne Baker Field, game one will kick off the three-game series, followed by a double header Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.