Game 1 // Final Box | Game 2 // Final Box

SAN ANGELO – It's just that Easley. For the second time at home this year, Kacie Easley provided two-out, seventh-inning heroics to lead Angelo State to a 4-3 come-from-behind win at the ASU Softball Complex Saturday against Lone Star Conference foe Incarnate Word. Easley's two-out double to center secured a series win over UIW, after the No. 1 Rambelles earned a 4-1 win in game one of Saturday's doubleheader.

Angelo State (25-2, 4-1 LSC South) scored the first run of the second game in the bottom of the first inning after DeeshanaLynn Tafiti doubled down the right-field line to score Alix Dean from first. The lead was short lived, however, as the Cardinals (16-11, 3-3 LSC South) scored two in the second then tacked on another in the third after Monica Acuna hit a solo home run giving UIW a 3-1 lead.

The Rambelles got a run back in the fourth when Brittany Astle hit an infield single, which brought home Easley from third to make it a one-run game. The score remained idle, 3-2, until the bottom of the seventh.

With one out in the seventh, Kaycee Taylor laced her ninth double of the season to right field. After a strikeout, ASU's Tafiti was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. With the game in the balance, Easley stepped into the batter's box and laced a ball to deep center field for her first hit of the series. The Cardinals' Mallory Henry made a diving effort and had the ball in her glove, however, once the sophomore hit the ground it popped out of her glove and trickled to the wall. With two outs, the 'Belles were running on contact and pinch runner Luz'Ce Baca scored easily from second, while Tafiti was able to score all the way from first to give ASU the 4-3 walk-off win.

“I was just trying to put it in play,” said Easley. “I've been hitting the ball well all weekend, and I just wanted to hit a base hit to keep the rally going. When it hit her glove I was so upset, because we weren't catching a lot of breaks, but then when it dropped I was overcome with excitement.”

All three 'Belles' pitchers tossed in game two, as Mary Kate McKay started the game before handing the ball over to Jessica Newsome. Newsome threw 5.0 solid innings, allowing just one run, before Claire Molina recorded the final two outs of the contest and able to pick up the win.

“Attitude creates positive things, and the way our pitching staff shares duties unselfishly is something special,” said head coach Travis Scott. “Those three girls have shared the ball all season, and they know it's just about getting wins; their egos haven't ever gotten in the way. Give credit to Coach (Katie) Naumoff. She's been working with them constantly in the bullpen and continually calls a great game.”

Game one had the makings of a pitching duel, as ASU's Molina and Incarnate Word's Briana Sanchez squared off in the circle. Each one put zeros on the scoreboard, until the Rambelles finally got to Sanchez in the fourth inning. Dean led off the inning with a single to left field and then after a hit-by-pitch and a walk, the bases were full of 'Belles. Elsa Apo singled to centerfield to bring home a pair and give ASU a 2-0 lead. Morgan Spearman would also score on a fielding error by the Cardinals to put Angelo State up, 3-0. The 'Belles would go on to earn a 4-1 victory.

Molina tossed a complete game, allowing just one run on seven hits. The junior improved to 11-0 on the year and 3-0 in conference play.

Angelo State will be on the road next week, as the Rambelles take on Tarleton State in Stephenville March 25 with the first pitch slated for 3 p.m.

AngeloSports.com: Your online source for Angelo State Athletics news, multimedia, photos and more.