Game 1 Final Box   ::   Game 2 Final Box

CANYON, Texas – In a Lone Star Conference heavyweight bout between a pair of nationally ranked softball teams, Angelo State and West Texas A&M split Friday's doubleheader at Lady Buff Yard. The 23rd-ranked Lady Buffs earned a 2-0 victory in Game 1, while the No. 1 Rambelles swung their way to a 7-5 win in Game 2 setting up a 1 p.m. rubber match on Saturday.
 
“We knew that it was going to be a dog fight, and it certainly lived up to the expectations,” Angelo State head coach Travis Scott said. “We were hoping to win the series, and we have a shot at that on Saturday.”
 
Offensively, Elsamartina Apo went 3-for-4 on the day with two walks raising her season batting average to .513. The Belles' top run producers were Morgan Spearman, April Breshears and DeeshanaLynn Tafiti, who all had two RBIs in the twin bill.
 
A pitching duel unfolded in Game 1 between ASU's Mary Kate McKay and WT's Marci Womack. Both pitchers threw complete games, while striking out five with no walks.
 
Womack received some run support in the third inning, as the Lady Buffs (21-10, 6-5 LSC) scored two runs on three hits. WT's Meghan Slattery found the right-center alleyway for an RBI triple and later scored on a sacrifice fly.
 
Angelo State (26-4, 10-1 LSC) looked to climb back into the game in the sixth inning. Kacie Easley and Tafiti opened the inning with consecutive singles to put runners on first and second. Apo then hit a hard comebacker up the middle, and Belle's pinch runner Jasmaine Moore looked to score, but a strong throw by WT's Kim LeComte got Moore by a step. Breshears followed up with a line drive right to the shortstop for a double play to end the threat.
 
“We had our opportunities, but the breaks just weren't falling our way in Game 1,” Scott said. “We tried to sneak a run in with Jasmaine's speed, but LeComte made a great throw to get her so you have to give their team credit. They made plays.”  
 
Angelo State eventually fell 2-0 to West Texas A&M, marking its first shutout of the season.
 
The Belles' idling offense quickly went into gear in Game 2, as Morgan Spearman hit leadoff home run. The sophomore finished the day 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs.
 
“I was just looking to get a single to help get some momentum on our side, but it happened to get over the fence,” Spearman said. “It was a great feeling and seemed to set the tone for our offense.”
 
Angelo State would build a 4-1 lead after three innings, thanks to RBI singles from Breshears and Spearman then a solo blast by Apo in the third.
 
The Lady Buffs would not go away, as WT scored four runs in the next two innings to tie the game 5-5 after five.
 
With two outs in the top of the sixth, Lauren Smith began ASU's two out rally with a walk. She would advance to second after an Easley single through the left side. Tafiti then drove the ball into the right-centerfield gap for a two-run double to put Angelo State in front, 7-5. That marked Tafiti's sixth double of the season and drove in her conference best 47 RBIs.
 
Claire Molina would strike out three of the next six batters over the final two innings to secure the win. Molina threw 7.0 innings and scattered six hits in the win. The hard-throwing lefty improved to 15-2 on the season.
 
Be sure to listen to the action live on AngeloSports.com or 1260AM-KKSA with Ben Ely on the call.