Final Box

STEPHENVILLE, Texas  – Taylor Jensen made the most of her sixth career start, as the freshman hit what proved to be the game-winning single in the eighth inning against Lone Star Conference foe Tarleton State on Saturday. The Rambelles' 7-4 extra-inning victory marks their third consecutive come-from-behind win against the TexAnns this weekend at the TSU Softball Complex.  
 
“Our girls never quit,” Angelo State head coach Travis Scott said. “We were down in every game, but the girls kept fighting and refused to give in, and we're leaving here with three big wins.”
 
After picking up their fifth conference sweep of the season, the No. 12 Rambelles are now 19-4 in LSC play and 38-8 overall. The TexAnns dropped to 14-9 in league play and are 29-17 on the season.
 
Angelo State was in a must-score situation trailing 4-3 in the seventh inning against Tarleton on Senior Day. The Belles first two batters reached on a walk and hit-by-pitch before Morgan Spearman tied the game with an RBI single to right. The sophomore from Kennedale finished the game 3-for-5 with two RBIs and now has 27 on the season. Despite having two on with no outs, the Rambelles were unable to cross another run in the seventh.
 
The TexAnns had their shot at winning it in regulation, but would strand two forcing extra innings. Much like the inning before, the Tarleton pitching staff had trouble with command. Carly Peters was plunked to lead off the inning and would advance 60 feet on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, Chelsely Walters was then drilled by a pitch to put runners on first and second with one out for Jensen. The Plano native proceeded to hit a comebacker up the middle to score pinch runner Holly Vanden Bossche from second to give ASU a 5-4 lead.  
 
“Taylor got the start for an injured DeeshanaLynn Tafiti today, and she made the most of it,” Scott said. “She an excellent infielder, but her hit in extra innings should really give her a lot of confidence going forward.”
 
They continued to apply the pressure and gave some breathing room to the Belles' pitching staff. Junior catcher Kacie Easley hit a two-run single up the middle to build a 7-4 advantage heading into the bottom half.
 
The TexAnns were held scoreless, and ASU earned the victory. It was a joint effort in the circle for the Belles, as Mary Kate McKay got the start and went 4.2 innings before handing the ball over to Claire Molina for the final 3.1. Molina got the win and improved to 20-4 on the year. The 20 victories is tops in the Lone Star Conference.
 
Angelo State returns to the diamond for a single game against Lone Star Conference foe Abilene Christian on Tuesday at the ASU Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.