SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Angelo State Rambelles will be forced to win two games on Saturday after dropping a 1-0 extra-inning contest against Central Oklahoma in the NCAA Division II South Central Super Regional on Friday at the ASU Softball Complex.
A Hannah Justus infield single that scored Nathalie Timmermans in the top of the ninth proved to be the winning run as the Bronchos (43-6) grabbed early control of the series which will send one of the teams to the NCAA Division II National Softball Championship.
“We did everything that we had to do to win this game and we just didn't get the breaks,” ASU head coach Travis Scott said. “We put runners in scoring position and were hitting the ball hard. It was one of those games where we just hit the ball at them and couldn't score runs.”
Morgan Spearman led the Rambelles with four hits, but ASU (47-10) was held without a run for only the second time all season. April Breshears and Kacie Easley each added two hits, while DeeshanaLynn Tafiti and Elsamartina Apo contributed singles.
Claire Molina (26-5) claims the loss for the Rambelles after striking out five, walking only one and managing her way through seven singles before Justus' single gave UCO the game's first run.
“She did great and we played great defense behind her,” Scott said. “They really didn't hit any balls hard and to get beat on a weak single is hard to take. That's the way game treats you every once in a while. It hasn't been that way for us very often this season, but it does happen sometimes even when you're playing a great game.”
Rachael Steverson (25-5) earned the win for the Bronchos after striking out four, walking none and surviving 11 ASU hits in a complete-game effort. Steverson stranded 10 ASU runners on base for the win. Timmermans, Megan Whitmire and Brittany Weaver each had two hits for the Bronchos.
Angelo State and Central Oklahoma will return to action at 2 p.m. on Saturday with an if-necessary game following that game.
“We just have to make sure that we come out in the right frame of mind tomorrow,” Scott said. “We are a very good team and are very capable of coming out here and sweeping the doubleheader.”
