SAN ANGELO – The No. 6 Angelo State softball team secured its second-straight trip to the NCAA Division II College Softball World Series in Salem, Virginia, with an 8-1 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce in game two of the South Central Super Regional on Friday afternoon at Mayer Field.
The Rambelles (52-7) out-hit the Lions (42-12) 10-5 including three home runs. ASUÂ stranded seven TAMUC runners. It is the second time in program history Angelo State has made back-to-back Division II College World Series following 2009-10 and the sixth time overall in program history under head coach Travis Scott.
"To be able to do what we have in our conference and in the playoffs is a great accomplishment," Angelo State head softball coach Travis Scott said. "Going against some great competition and facing a talented Texas A&M-Commerce team without losing a game, these kids continue to impress me. Morgan Hill pitched extremely well and we had some huge hits offensively. We played great defense and went out and didn't give them a chance to get back in the game. I'm extremely happy and proud of this group."
The Lions got on the board first after the Rambelles stranded two runners. TAMUC scored on a sacrifice fly to go up 1-0 after the first inning.
It didn't take long for ASU to answer. Danae Bina was hit by a pitch and Mykayla Stroud hit a bloop single to left field to put runners at first and second. Madison Greenwell tied the game with a single to left field and Bailey Wallace gave the Rambelles the lead with a two-RBI double to left field.
 Morgan Hill went to work with a 3-1 lead in the circle and scattered four hits over the next four innings to keep the Lions off the board.
Courtney Barnhill provided some insurance in the fifth with a solo home run to left field straight into the wind to make it 4-1. It is her 15th home run of the season. Taylor Fogle contributed a single through the left side after her at-bat was extended with a TAMUC dropped fly ball. Karina Rocha kept the crowd on their feet with a towering home run over the scoreboard in center field for a three-run blast to increase the lead to 6-1.
Brooke Mangold added the icing on the cake crushing a two-run home run to right field to make the final 8-1. Â
With the insurance runs, Morgan Hill sat down six straight batters and nine of the next 10 batters to clinch the win.
Angelo State's first game of the Division II College Softball World Series will be on Thursday, May 24 at the James I Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Virginia. A schedule of games and opponents will be announced on Saturday.
