SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State softball team wrapped up the George McCorkle Challenge with a pair of run-rule victories 9-1 over Adams State and 13-0 over Texas A&M International at Mayer Field on Sunday.
The Rambelles (10-1) held Adams State and TAMIU to just one run on 10 hits. ASU recorded its third straight run-rule victory after tallying 22 runs on 19 hits.
"I was proud of the way we played this weekend," Angelo State head softball coach Travis Scott said. "We stayed focus from the first pitch to the last and we talked a lot about winning six for George McCorkle. To be able to leave 6-0 makes me feel really good. George was just not a supporter but I considered him and Ola close friends."
ASU jumped out to a lead in the second early in a big way. Courtney Barnhill led off the second inning with a solo home run. It is her second home run of her young career. Taegan Kirk, who doubled to centerfield, and Karina Rocha each scored to make it 3-0. Madison Greenwell singled home Kirk and Bailey Wallace drew a bases loaded walk.
Adams State' only run of the game came in the third inning. A single to centerfield followed by a single that was just missed on a diving catch to score the runner from first.
Kenedy Urbany shut down the Grizzlies only allowing five hits for her third win of the year. She struck out six batters and only walked one.
Two more runs crossed in the third. Kirk was credited with her first RBI of the game with a single to plate Barnhill. Alexis Evans single through the left side made it 5-0.
The runs continued in the fourth as Urbany helped her own cause with a two-RBI double. The senior later scored on a sacrifice fly from pinch hitter Amanda Ramage.
Urbany ended the game in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to left center. It is her third of the season. She has 33 total and is now nine away from tying Kacie Easley for the career record in home runs.
The tournament finale had fireworks and an outstanding pitching performance. Morgan Hill and Brandy Marlett combined to shutout Texas A&M International. It is the pitching staff's fifth shutout of the season. Hill only gave up four hits and struck out three while Marlett struck out two and allowed one hit.
The Rambelles provided enough run support in the second inning with six runs on five hits. Greenwell added to her career triple record with her 11th. The junior sent a ball to left center and rounded all three bases to score Danae Bina and Rocha. Urbany singled home Greenwell two batter later. With the bases loaded moments later, Kirk cleared them with a double to left center to make it 6-0.
Greenwell almost added a home run to her weekend. The Flower Mound native sent a ball that hit the top of the fence, bounced off the turf and went over the fence for a ground rule double that would score Evans. Wallace hit a two RBI single to increase the lead to 9-0.
Brooke Mangold made it 10-0 with a double to left center in the bottom of the fourth. Kelly Johnson came to the plate with two runners on and brought the crowd to their feet. The senior crushed a ball to left field for a three run home run. It is Johnson's second home run of the season.
The Rambelles will open the Lone Star Conference slate with a three-game series with Texas A&M-Kingsville on Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18 at Mayer Field
