Box Score

GULF SHORES, AL:  The Texas Wesleyan University softball team (25-18) suffered a 10-0 loss at the hands of second ranked Cal State San Marcos (51-4) in the first of three pool play games at the NAIA Softball National Championships on Thursday.
 
The Lady Rams, making their first tournament appearance since 1984, looked strong in the early going, but the Cougars, in just their third tournament appearance, took advantage of some defensive miscues by the Lady Rams to plate 10 runs in the final three innings.
 
Alexis Beltran, who was passed over for both RRAC Pitcher of the Year and NFCA All-Region, made quick work of the second ranked Cougars on her first trip through the lineup.  Beltran, who entered the game at 18-4 with a 2.00 ERA, needed just 40 pitches to set down the first nine San Marcos hitters in order.
 
Meanwhile, CSU’s Courtney Allen, who entered the game at 20-4 with a salty 0.98 ERA, allowed just a first inning double to Marissa Rangel to keep the game scoreless.
 
In the fourth, Alicia Ingram led off with a bunt single.  Kaitlin McGinley followed with a bunt single that pushed Ingram all the way to third base.  After McGinley stole second, the two scored on RBI from Alyssa Dronenburg and Alex Miller.  A TWU error then opened the flood gates to four unearned runs and the Cougars took control of the contest at 6-0.
 
San Marcos added a solo home run from Dronenburg leading off the fifth inning to push their advantage to 7-0.  A walk, two singles, and three TWU errors finally chased Beltran from the game in the sixth inning as the Cougars plated three more runs on three hits and the three errors in the frame.
 
Allen (21-4) allowed just one hit while striking out two in five innings of work.  Beltran (18-5) allowed five earned runs on ten hits and a walk in five innings pitched.
 
Rangel’s double proved to be Texas Wesleyan’s lone hit on the day.
 
The Rams will continue pool play on Friday, when they take on Southern Nazarene University at 3:00 p.m.  The 32-team tournament features eight pools of four teams playing three games each.  The top team from each pool will advance to a double-elimination bracket which will begin on Monday, May 21.