Final Box

SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Angelo State softball team was crowned the 2012 Lone Star Conference Champion for the sixth time in program history and secured the No. 1 overall seed at the LSC Tournament after picking up a 7-3 victory against Abilene Christian on Tuesday. The No. 12 Rambelles improved to 39-8 on the season and 20-4 in the Lone Star Conference with the win.
 
“We had an emotional last few weeks, and I was afraid we may have lacked intensity today, but the girls came ready to play,” Angelo State head coach Travis Scott said. “Claire Molina threw the ball great for us, and she got some timely hitting in front of a great crowd. It was a fun day to be a part of Angelo State softball.”
 
Two of the season-high 403 fans in attendance at the ASU Softball Complex were Molina's parents who flew in from California. Molina (21-4) did not disappoint, as she struck out six without allowing a walk en route to her conference best 21st victory of the season. The San Bernardino, Calif., went the distance in her 28th appearance of the season and now has 14 complete games on the year.
 
Sophomore Morgan Spearman would give her senior pitcher some run support in the second inning. With runners on second and third, Spearman lined one back up the middle for an early 2-0 lead. She finished the day 2-for-4 with three RBIs, and now has 30 runs batted in on the season.
 
“With runners in scoring position, I was just hoping to do anything in my power to get one run across,” Spearman said. “I was fortunate enough to make solid contact and drive in two which gave us the momentum.”
 
ASU opened the game up in the sixth inning, scoring five runs on five hits, while taking advantage of a pair of ACU (28-13, 14-9 LSC) errors. Taylor Jensen and Spearman each had RBI infield singles, while Kacie Easley lifted a ball to deep center for a sacrifice fly.
 
Leading 7-1 entering the top of the seventh, Abilene Christian made a late charge. Kimberly Briggs hit a two-run homer to make it a 7-3 game, but the Wildcats were quickly tamed as ASU held on for the win.
 
Angelo State returns to the diamond for its final series of the regular season. The Rambelles welcome Texas A&M-Kingsville to the ASU Softball Complex for a three-game series beginning with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. on April 20. Live audio will be available on AngeloSports.com and 1260 KKSA brought to you by Jeremy Bryant or follow live Twitter updates @AngeloSports.