Game 1 Box  //  Game 2 Box

PORTALES, N.M. – The Angelo State softball team recorded its second consecutive Lone Star Conference sweep on Sunday after earning a pair of run-rule victories over Eastern New Mexico at Zia Field. The Rambelles cruised to a 24-1 win in Game 1 with 10 different players recording an RBI before earning an 11-3 decision in Game 2. The 24 runs scored is a single game program record.
 
“We got off to a hot start, and we're just happy to be sitting at 6-0 on conference,” Angelo State head coach Travis Scott said. “The team hit up and down the lineup, and then played great defense in some tough conditions.”
 
The No. 3 Belles (22-3, 6-0 LSC) hit .500 as a team during the series and outscored the Zias (6-16, 1-5 LSC) 50-14. Carly Peters set the tone, as the sophomore smashed four home runs and recorded 11 RBIs on the weekend.
 
In Game 1, Angelo State scored seven runs in the first and followed with six more in the top of the second to grab a 13-0 lead after two. DeeshanaLynn Tafiti  hit a pair of two-run home runs in back-to-back innings for the Belles. The senior – who leads the nation in home runs with 12 – finished the game 3-for-3 with five RBIs and four runs scored.
 
After a scoreless third inning, Angelo State scored seven more runs in the fourth and boasted a four-run frame in the fifth. Carly Peters (4), Kacie Easley (3), Holly Vanden Bossche (3), Taylor Jensen (2), Chelsey Walters (2) and Amanda Wilhelm (2) all had multiple RBIs on the day.
 
In a game that will be remembered for its offense, ASU's starting pitcher Mary Kate McKay's performance should not go unnoticed. With gusts upwards of 30 mph blowing out, the sophomore allowed just one hit and one earned run in 4.0 innings of work. The Madill, Okla., native struck out two and improved to 10-1 on the season.
 
“Mary Kate's pitches had a lot of movement and with the wind blowing right in her face, it made her drop ball even better,” Scott said. “She located her pitches and then the team played solid defense behind her.”
 
Wilhelm had the first big hit for the Belles in Game 2, as the junior laced a two-run double down the left-field line in the second inning. The hits kept coming for Angelo State, as Peters smoked her sixth home run of the season an inning later. The sophomore's three-run shot gave ASU an 8-4 advantage.
 
“Carly played unbelievable all weekend,” Scott said. “She is swinging the bat really well for us right now and adds another power threat in the bottom half of our lineup.”
 
ASU would run-rule the Zias, 11-3, after scoring three more in the fourth.
 
McKay and Claire Molina shared duties in the circle for Angelo State. McKay threw 2.1 innings of work before handing the ball over to Molina midway through the third. The hard-throwing lefty would finish the game, striking out five and improved to 12-2 on the season.
 
The Angelo State softball team will be “Hitting for Our Heroes” during the March 17-18 series against Midwestern State to help raise money for Operation Gratitude. The Belles welcome the Mustangs to ASU Softball Complex for a single game on Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. before a doubleheader on Sunday starting at 1 p.m.