SAN ANGELO – Angelo State's Brooke Mangold hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the seventh as the No. 2 Rambelles defeated No. 12 West Texas A&M 1-0 behind a career tying 17 strikeouts from Brandy Marlett to add another instant classic to the storied rivalry in front of 843 raucous fans at Mayer Field on Friday evening.
The Rambelles (29-1, 10-0 LSC) won their 25th consecutive game behind an outstanding pitching performance and clutch hitting in the seventh inning. The Lady Buffs fall to 22-5 on the year and 7-3 in the LSC.
"It was another classic Angelo State and West Texas A&M matchup," Angelo State head softball coach Travis Scott said after the game. "It was a lot of fun and a great atmosphere with both teams having large crowds. I was proud of the way we found a way to win it. Brandy (Marlett) was amazing tonight and I'm so happy for Brooke Mangold to get the hit to win it."
Marlett and WT's Alexis Alfonso settled in early to a pitching duel. Alfonso held ASU to two hits over the first five innings of the game. The Rambelles recorded two hits in the sixth but was unable to score.
Looking like the game could go into extra innings, Alexis Evans was hit by a pitch with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Kelly Johnson entered the game as a pinch runner and Heather Reatherford hit into a fielder's choice to advance Johnson to second. With two outs, Mangold stepped to the plate. The junior delivered with a single up the middle to score Johnson from second to end the game.
Marlett had one of her best games as a Rambelle. The junior tied her career high and new school record of 17 strike outs that was set against ENMU six days ago. She struck out 10 straight at one point and didn't give up a walk. She also threw 102 pitches with 73 strikes. The Henderson, Nevada native is now 14-1 on the season after picking up her third shutout of the season.
West Texas A&M had a scoring opportunity in the second. The Lady Buffs hit consecutive singles but Marlett responded by striking out three straight batters to end the inning.
The only other scoring opportunity for WT was in the sixth. A leadoff single and a bunt single followed by a stolen bases had runners at second and third with one out. A grounder to Marlett was the second out of the inning. Strategy followed as Kenedy Urbany was brought in to intentionally walk Allie Smith. Marlett reentered the game with the bases loaded and struck out Maddie Green for the third out.
Angelo State had its chance in the sixth to take its first lead as Madison Greenwell and Bailey Wallace hit back-to-back singles with only one out in the inning. WT's Alfonso forced a fielder's choice for the second out. Taegan Kirk hit a ball between short stop and third base but Alyx Cordell made a diving catch to keep the game scoreless.
The Rambelles will return to Mayer Field for the series finale doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. tomorrow. The game has been designated as Military Appreciation with all active military and dependents and retired military receiving free admission with valid ID.
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