Canyon, Texas – The Angelo State softball team put up a valiant fight, but a five-run bottom of the fifth saw the nation's top-ranked team, UT Tyler, come back and claim a 6-4 win over the Rambelles in the LSC Semifinals on Friday afternoon at Schaeffer Park.
All-American JT Smith's solo home run in the third inning broke a scoreless deadlock between the two ranked teams.
The Rambelles responded with a four-run inning to claim a three-run lead.
Ashton McMillan singled, a Patriot error, and a
Carter Smith single loaded the bases. A pitch hit
Lauren De La Cruz in the shin to tie the game.
After a pitching change,
Zoey De Baca singled to center field to give the Rambelles the lead.
Abby Brand's bases-loaded walk tacked on another run before
Laylonna Applin capped the scoring with an RBI single to the right side.
The Rambelles held the lead until the fifth inning, when the Patriots strung together a five-run, two-out rally.
Cheyenne Floyd started in the circle, throwing the first 4.2 innings.
Amelia Hatthorn relieved her senior teammate, recording the final four outs.
The Rambelles are 44-12 this season. The NCAA Tournament field will be announced on Monday at 9 a.m. Central time on NCAA.com.
