FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University softball team (21-14, 9-7 SAC) blanked Southwestern Christian University (9-24, 3-11 SAC) in a Sooner Athletic Conference doubleheader at Sycamore Park on Friday. The Rams won with scores of 4-0 and 5-0.
Small ball was in full effect for the Runnin' Rams in game one. Texas Wesleyan pounded out 12 hits, 11 of them singles, while matching the school's single-game record with eight stolen bases.
Kayla Prachly manufactured a first-inning run with her legs. Prachyl beat out an infield single, then stole second, stole third, and scored on a bunt single from
Bailey Terry.
The short-game got Texas Wesleyan another run in the third.
Dani Jackson led off the inning with a single, stole second, moved to third on an infield hit from
Lauren Gunter, and scored on a bunt single from
Shelby Reddington.
Corina Palomino led off the sixth with the only extra-base hit of the game, a double down the leftfield line. She later scored on an SCU error. Prachyl added an RBI single in the inning to cap the scoring at 4-0.
Prachyl was 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and three stolen bases.
Bailey Terry also swiped three bags, while
Dani Jackson and
Demi Dotson also got in on the thievery. Texas Wesleyan has only recorded eight stolen on one other occasion, a contest against Texas Lutheran in 1996.
Justine Cielenski (5-1) posted her second complete game shutout in as many days while running her current scoreless innings streak to 14. The freshman from Lockport, IL, allowed only three hits and two walks while striking out three.
Jessica Orozco (5-4) took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on 12 hits in six innings of work.
In game two, the Rams put three on the board with two outs in the third inning.
Shelby Reddington delivered an RBI single and
Hannah Tomme later knocked in a pair with a safety.
Bailey Terry blasted a solo home run in the fourth, and Reddington did the same in the fifth to complete the scoring at 5-0.
That was plenty of support for
Lauren Wernet (7-3) who surrendered only three hits while walking none and striking out three in a complete game effort. Lauren Kelley (1-5) took the loss after allowing three runs, one earned, on seven hits in three innings pitched.
Again, the Rams outhit the Eagles 12-3. Prachyl was 2-for-4 with a double, while Terry and Reddington were each 2-for-4 with a home run.
The Rams now hit the road for eight consecutive road games. The trip starts with a doubleheader at the University of Science & Arts (OK) in Chickasha, OK, on Thursday. That doubleheader is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. start. Texas Wesleyan's next home game is scheduled for Friday, April 28, when they host St. Gregory's University in an SAC doubleheader.
Ramblings
- The Rams are now 13-3 all-time against Southwestern Christian. Their next opponent, USAO leads the all-time series 19-4.
- Cielenski notched back-to-back shutouts on back-to-back days, blanking SAGU and SCU in succession. She allowed a total of five hits in the two games. She has not allowed a run in 14 consecutive innings and has not allowed an earned run in her last 19 innings.
