ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – The No. 2 Angelo State softball team improved to 3-1 on the season with wins over New Mexico Highlands and Metro State on Saturday at the CMU Invitational.
The Rambelles won the first game 8-0 over New Mexico Highlands in the middle of a dust storm. ASU recorded seven hits and scored all eight runs in the first inning.
"We took advantage of some mistakes by New Mexico Highlands and put pressure on them," Angelo State head softball coach Travis Scott said. "The next thing you know we had eight runs in the first inning. Morgan was able to throw the ball over the plate in some tough conditions and we played good defense considering the conditions. Meagan also looked good in the circle and we did what we needed to do."
Morgan Hill had to battle out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the first. The senior had struck out the first two batters before a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases. Hill was able to strike out the six hole for the final out of the inning.
Madison Greenwell led off the game with a single to the shortstop. A dropped fly ball that was an error and a fielding error by the shortstop made it 2-0. Taegan Kirk followed it up with a RBI double to left field increased the lead to 3-0. Danae Bina scored on a fielder's choice by Taylor Fogle and Brooke Mangold hit a single up the middle to score two for a 6-0 advantage. Bailey Wallace tacked on the final two runs of the inning with a single up the middle.
Morgan and Meagan Hill took care of the rest. Morgan Hill earned her first victory of the season only allowing two hits in three innings of work. She struck out four and handed the ball to her younger sister. Meagan Hill gave up four hits and struck out two in two scoreless innings.
Game two was another fast start for the offense with two runs in the first inning. A double by Courtney Barnhill brought home Wallace from first base and Kirk hit a RBI double down the left field line to make it 2-0.
Brandy Marlett started her second game in the circle and only gave up two hits over the first three innings.
Metro State used a triple and wild pitch to cut ASU's deficit to 2-1 going into the bottom of the third.
The game looked to move into the fourth with two quick outs but the Rambelles rallied. With a runner on, Mykayla Stroud extended the lead with her first career home run. The freshman sent a ball right over the center field fence to make it 4-1. Mangold would score on an error to make it 5-1.
"Mykayla Stroud is a good athlete," Scott said. "We have a lot of options and I felt like we needed to give her a shot sand she looked good. It was a 2-1 game at the time and she hit a rope to dead center. It was a shot and very impressive. She also made a good play on a tough play to her left. Courtney Barnhill had a huge day with two doubles and Brandy Marlett looked sharp. It was the best she looked at this season. We beat a solid Metro State team and need to finish strong tomorrow."
Up 5-1 in the fifth, Greenwell singled and scored a base. Wallace hit a ball to shortstop and a bad throw to first allowed Greenwell to tack on the sixth run of the game.
Marlett would take care of Metro State the rest of the way. The senior only allowed five hits and two runs while striking out eight batters for her second win of the season.
The Rambelles will close out the CMU Invitational on Sunday at 10 a.m. MST / 11 a.m. CST against Adams State.
