SAN ANGELO – The No. 1-ranked Angelo State softball team only had two hits but they were big ones as Courtney Barnhill and Kenedy Urbany both blasted home runs to help the Rambelles defeat Texas Woman's 4-2 on Friday night at Mayer Field giving head coach his Travis Scott 700th career victory.
The Rambelles (33-2, 12-1 LSC) were limited to just two hits on the night but were able to score four runs. The Pioneers (20-12, 9-6 LSC) stranded 15 baserunners and recorded 12 hits in the loss.
Scott becomes the 41st coach in Division II history and one of 22 active coaches in Division II to reach 700 career victories. He has won over 73 percent of his games during his career and is No. 10 in winning percentage among active coaches and No. 12 all-time.
"It was really big to come from behind and to hold on in tight situations," Scott said. "Texas Woman's came out and swung the bats today. Kenedy was really good in relief and she was able to keep TWU scoreless through the sixth and give us a chance. Courtney's home run in the bottom of the first was a big one to tie it. We need to hit the ball a little more consistently but two big home runs today."
Texas Woman's jumped out to a 2-0 lead after scoring two runs on five hits off ASU starter Morgan Hill. Urbany came in relief with runners on second and third and got a grounder to end the inning.
Madison Greenwell led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Bailey Wallace. Barnhill quickly tied the game taking the first pitch she saw to left center for a two-run home run. It is the freshman's ninth home run of the season.
Urbany would hold TWU scoreless for the next 4.2 innings. She would strand 12 runners during that span while giving up seven hits. The Pioneers loaded the bases in the third and fourth but both times Urbany and the Rambelle defense was able to get out of the jam.
The senior would help her own cause in the fourth. Urbany stepped to the plate and sent a towering ball to left field to give ASU a 3-2 advantage. It would be the only other hit ASU would tally on the night.
Clinging to a 3-2 advantage, TWU once again loaded the bases with two outs. Brandy Marlett came in relief and struck out Allie Walker to end the threat in the sixth.
The Rambelles responded with a run in the bottom of the inning. Taegan Kirk hit a grounder to the shortstop and the ball was overthrown allowing Wallace to score from second.
Marlett closed the door in the seventh for the junior's first save of the season. She struck out two batters and didn't allow a hit in 1.1 innings pitched. Urbany improved to 13-0 on the season with the win.
"I'm proud of the success we have had," Scott said. "I'm thankful for my start at Southeastern Oklahoma, my alma mater, and it was a good three years. Angelo State has been special to me. The fan and administration support has made this a fun place to work. Hopefully 700 is just another stepping stone to more."
The two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 1 p.m. Both games will be televised on RamTV and the first game will be heard on 1260AM KKSA. Fans are encouraged to wear gold and the first 300 ASU students will receive a free gold t-shirt for attending.
