SAN ANGELO – The No. 6 Angelo State softball team shutout No. 10 West Texas A&M, 4-0, to advance to the South Central Regional Final tomorrow at 1:30 p.m., at Mayer Field.

The Rambelles (49-7) were able to score four runs on seven hits . While, the Lady Buffs (40-12) were held to just six hits and committed two errors. ASU was able to draw seven walks in the game, while WT only had one. Angelo State will now advance to the South Central Regional final for the second consecutive season.

"It was a huge win for a lot of reasons," commented Angelo State Softball Head Coach Travis Scott. "First of all, we beat long time rival West Texas A&M again, but more importantly it puts us in the championship game again tomorrow. We will have some time off before tomorrow, where the other teams will have to each play another game this evening. I really could not be more proud of our team, Brandy [Marlett] threw the heck out of it and finished the game strong. We had a lot of base runners and some good at-bats. I love the attitude of this team, the way they are working and their confidence right now." 

West Texas A&M looked to score early with runner on first and second, as well as, no outs in the top of the second inning. However, Brandy Marlett quickly stifled the threat by striking out back-to-back batters.

ASU would also threaten later in the bottom half of the inning, but would ultimately leave the bases loaded.

It was not until the bottom of the third that the Rambelles would cash in. Bailey Wallace and Courtney Barnhill stroked back-to-back singles. A walk from Taegan Kirk on a nine pitch at-bat then loaded the bases. Taylor Fogle stepped to the plate and would foul off nine of a 13 pitch at-bat before finally hitting a key single to left field that would cross two runners.

In the top of the fourth, Marlett sat down the Lady Buffs in order and ASU added two more runs in the bottom half of the inning. An error and two walks would then load the bases for Karina Rocha. The sophomore took a 1-1 pitch up the middle to plate Fogle and Kirk for a 4-0 advantage.

The Lady Buffs would not go quietly putting a runner in scoring position in the fifth. With the runner on third, Marlett inked another pair strikeouts, and a fly ball to Bailey Wallace at second base quickly ended the fifth.

WTAMU would put two runners on base in the seventh. Threatening to get on the board, a West Texas A&M fly ball ended the game. Marlett improves to 24-4 on the season and scattered only six total hits for the day. The senior dominated from the circle, striking out nine Lady Buffs and only giving up a single walk.

The Rambelles will face either Cameron or West Texas A&M tomorrow, May 12, at Mayer Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.