FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University softball team (18-17, 16-4 RRAC) stuck it to rival Northwood University (15-16, 11-6 RRAC) defeating the Lady Knights 1-0 in game one before taking a 4-1 win in game two on Tuesday Night. 

In a classic rivalry, the Lady Rams and Lady Knights played scoreless for four complete innings, combining for only six hits.

The Lady Rams struck first blood in the bottom of the fifth. Kali Jester hit a weak liner into right field for a base hit and advanced to second on a handling error on the right fielder. Ashley Seibel moved the runner over on a 4-3 play. Courtney Orebaugh then poked a liner over the third baseman for a RBI single to take a 1-0 lead. 

That would be enough as Alexis Beltran (11-4) shut down the Northwood offense in the bottom of the seventh to take the game one win 1-0. Beltran tossed all seven innings, pitching a shutout on four hits, three walks, and five strikeouts.

Orebaugh led the Lady Rams going 2 for 2 with a RBI. Jester went 1 for 2 in the win. 

The Lady Rams put a run on the board in the first inning in game two with an Ashleigh Jiminez single into right field. Wesleyan tried to keep things going but Northwood closed the door leaving the bases loaded.

The Lady Knights tied the game with a RBI bases loaded single from Jillian Jones. Samantha Hernandez also tried to score on the play but was thrown out at the plate by Marissa Rangel. 

Wesleyan took control of the lead with a RBI single that score Makelle Akin from second. Jester extended the lead to 3-1 with a line drive shot to right center.

In the fourth inning Akin picked up a fielder’s choice RBI after Christina Kelley single to lead off the inning and made her way to score to make it 4-1 Lady Rams. 

The Lady Knights were shut down by the Wesleyan defense and Taylor Hodge (4-4) went all seven innings. She gave up one run on five hits in the win.

The Lady Rams will complete the series with the Lady Knights tomorrow starting at 1:00 P.M.