Stephenville, Texas – The Angelo State Rambelles headed to Stephenville to face off against Tarleton State in the series opener at 6 p.m. After getting behind early, ASU would stage a mid-game comeback effort, but the spark would ultimately be stifled as the Rambelles fell with a final score of 6-2
Tarleton State only outhit the visiting Angelo State team by three, but found success in their ability to hit the long ball. In fact, the Texans would drive three balls over the outfield fence courtesy of Georgia Capell who hit two of her own, and Amanda Conner who connected with a solo bomb in the sixth inning.
It was a slow start for Angelo who found themselves down four runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Texans drove in two runs with Capell's first homerun of the game, and Amanda Conner brought in two more with a double to deep left center field.
Hatty Shope led off to start the Rambelles' comeback effort with an opposite field single. Avery Zeigler then grounded out to advance Shope, setting up Megan Gordon for an RBI opportunity. Gordon came through when the team needed her, driving a double to left field that played ASU's first run of the game. A wild pitch would bring Gordon to third, and Jade Strother would draw a walk immediately after to put runners on the corners. Ashlyn Lerma would then enter to run for Strother, and would quickly steal second on a bad throw that allowed Megan Gordon to score, bringing the game to 4-2.
ASU would fail to cross the plate again due to an impressive outing by Lone Star Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year Jordan Withrow. Withrow collected her sixth win of the season by pitching a complete game, giving up six hits and striking out 10.
Angelo State showed offensive signs of life in a few aspects throughout the course of the game however. Courtney Barnhill reached base twice in the game – once by a hit and again by a base on balls. The Lubbock native would also swipe two extra bags to pose a threat on the base paths. Hatty Shope also continued swinging a hot bat, leading the team by going 2-4.
The series continues tomorrow in doubleheader fashion at 1 p.m.
