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WICHITA FALLS – Friday afternoon a pair of pitchers toed the rubber and gave the fans at Mustangs Park a seven-inning pitching duel. Claire Molina threw a complete game and struck out nine for the 21st-ranked Angelo State Rambelles, while No. 17 Emporia State's ace Karley Schmelzer pitched a no hitter for 5.1 innings of work. The Hornets would eventually sting the Belles for an unearned run in the third inning and win the game, 1-0, in the opening day of the NCAA D-II South Central Regional.

Molina allowed just one walk and an unearned run in her first NCAA appearance, while Schmelzer tossed a one-hit, complete-game shutout en route to the victory. ESU's win erases three-consecutive losses to the Rambelles, including two in the 2010 South Central Regional in Emporia, Kan.

“Claire pitched a great game for us,” said head coach Travis Scott. “She threw her heart out, and it's unfortunate we didn't have any offense to help her out (Friday).”

The Rambelles (42-13) found themselves in an early jam with two runners on and just one out after a pair of singles in the top of the second by Emporia State. Molina helped herself, as she struck out back-to-back batters to end the inning, leaving both runners stranded.

The Hornets (42-14) continued to put the pressure on the Belles and eventually squeezed out a run in the third frame. ESU's Angela Mahan stood on third with one out as Abby Hughes stepped in the box. Hughes laid a successful squeeze bunt down the first-base line as Mahan was able to slide in safely to gain an early 1-0 lead.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Angelo State's Morgan Spearman ripped her eighth double of the season to break up Schmelzer's no hitter. Despite the freshman's base knock, this would be as close as the Rambelles would come as Emporia State earned a 1-0 victory.

If Angelo State plans to hoist the South Central Regional trophy for the third-consecutive season it will have to begin tomorrow against Texas A&M International. The game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., at Mustangs Park with the winner to play the loser of the Midwestern State/Emporia State contest.

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