DENTON, Texas – The No. 5 Angelo State softball team clinched a series victory over Texas Woman's winning the finale 4-1 after falling 6-5 in eight innings in game two in Denton on Saturday.
The Rambelles are now 29-4 overall and 13-2 in the LSC. ASU recorded a combined 12 hits in the two games but left 20 on base. The Pioneers (21-12, 9-6 LSC) had 15 hits on the day but struck out 12 times. Angelo State is now 8-3 on the road this season.
"It is always good when you can go on the road and beat a quality Lone Star Conference opponent," Angelo State's head softball coach Travis Scott said. "I really felt like we could have had all three wins but give credit to Texas Woman's for battling. It was a good series with a lot of offense. It was tough for pitchers. Brandy Marlett was able to bounce back and have a good game in game three but we need better performances in from her in game two. Morgan Hill threw extremely well and it was a tough loss. Danae Bina had a great weekend making some great defensive plays especially in game three. It was nice to get the victory and secure the series win."
ASU went into game three of the series dropping its first extra inning game of the season 6-5 in nine innings. Amanda Ramage provided a score in the top of the first. The senior drew a bases loaded walk to score Bailey Wallace for a 1-0 lead.
A grounder ball to shortstop from Madison Greenwell brought home Dane Bina from third to increase the score to 2-0.
TWU scored its only run of the game in the second off starter Brandy Marlett. The senior would sit down the Pioneers in the third.
Ramage once again added to the score in the top of the fifth. A leadoff double from Taegan Kirk turned into a run with a RBI single from Ramage.
The Pioneers looked to answer in the bottom half of the inning. The Rambelles committed two errors in the inning but Marlett was able to strand a pair of runners with a ground out to end the threat.
An insurance run came across for ASU in the sixth. Kirk would hit a RBI single to allow Greenwell to score from second base to make it 4-1.
Marlett had work to do before she secured the win. TWU loaded with the winning run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh but Marlett got a grounder to shortstop Danae Bina to secure the win. She improves to 14-1 holding TWU to four hits and only allowing one run. She also struck out five batters and gave up two walks.
The Rambelles jumped out to a big lead in the top of the first courtesy of Courtney Barnhill. The sophomore crushed a ball over the right field fence for a grand slam. It is her third home run of the season. It was the fourth grand slam of the series for Angelo State.
Up 4-0, the Pioneers were able to score four runs on four hits in the bottom of the inning.
Wallace regained the lead in the second for Angelo State with a RBI sacrifice fly to plate Greenwell for the 5-4 advantage.
TWU tied it up in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI single.
ASU loaded the bases in the fifth but was unable to bring across a run.
The Rambelles had a chance in the seventh after a single from Kirk. The junior moved the second on an error by the first baseman but was left stranded.
TWU got the winning run in the bottom of the eighth on a RBI single with two outs. Morgan Hill was credited with her third loss of the year after pitching 7.0 innings. She struck out six and gave up two runs on seven hits.
Angelo State returns home for a three-game LSC series against Tarleton State starting on Thursday, March 29 at 7 p.m.
