OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: The Texas Wesleyan University softball team (30-19) took care of business in day one of the 2017 Sooner Athletic Conference tournament with an 8-1 win over Southwestern Assemblies of God University (16-34) and an 11-1 win over Southwestern Christian University (11-38) at Ann Lacy Stadium on Thursday.
 
After the two wins today, the third pool game tomorrow with Oklahoma City will act as the semi-final game, with the winning team moving on to face the winner of the St. Gregory's bracket in the championship.
 
In the opening game of the tournament, the Lady Lions pounced on the lead early with a run in the second inning. SAGU earned a lead-off single that led to a Rieanha Cano RBI groundout for the 1-0 edge.
 
The SAGU lead did not last long, as TXWES manufactured the tying run in the bottom of the third. Demi Dotson raced out an infield single to shortstop before taking second on a steal. Dani Jackson singled home the equalizer with a base hit up the middle.
 
Britany Rosenberry was spot on, retiring seven straight to set up a five-run explosion in the fifth.  Dotson polished off her second hit of the ball game, and Kayla Prachyl reached on a single into left center. Jackson put up the third consecutive hit on a bunt between home plate and the pitcher's mound. Bailey Terry broke the tie with a fielder's choice RBI before another run scored on a Lion error. Lauren Gunter grabbed a run on a bunt before Samantha Vasquez lifted a RBI sacrifice fly to left, and Hannah Tomme capped the inning on a RBI groundout to make a 6-1 game.
 
Texas Wesleyan added a two-out, two-run sixth inning. Prachyl posted a single up the middle and put herself in scoring position on a steal. Jackson grabbed her fourth hit of the day on a RBI double to center. Terry singled how the second run for a commanding 8-1 lead.
 
Rosenberry (9-7) went three up, three down in the seventh to seal the win. The senior went the distance, allowing one run (none earned) on three hits, three walks, and two strikeouts.
 
Jackson went 4 for 4 with two RBI. Dotson was 2 for 3 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Terry went 1 for 3 with two RBI, while Prachyl was 2 for 4 in the win.
 
The Lady Rams wasted no time in game two, rattling off an out of this world 10-run rally in the first.
 
Texas Wesleyan batted around in the eight hit inning and Terry started thing with a two-run single. Lauren Wernet added one with a shot up the middle before Vasquez punched one through left side for a two RBI single. Prachyl, Jackson, and Terry tallied RBI in their second at bat in the same inning before Gunter zapped a double down the left field line to cap the ambush.
 
The Eagles manufactured a run in the fourth to try and keep the run-rule out of play on a Joanne Griffith RBI single to left. Texas Wesleyan stayed ahead of the curve though, as Terry led the charge with a triple to right, her third hit of the game. Shelby Redding put down a RBI groundout to keep the advantage at 10.
 
Wernet (12-3) retired the side in order in the fifth to give the Lady Rams the win. She allowed one run on four hits, had no walks, and fanned three.
 
Terry was 3 for 3 with a pair of RBI. Gunter went 1 for 2 with two RBI, while Vasquez was 1 for 2 with two RBI. 
 
Here is how the rest of the SAC tournament unfolded:
 
Oklahoma City 4, Southwestern Christian 0
Oklahoma City 10, Southwestern Assemblies of God 2
St. Gregory's 8, Bacone 3
USAO 8, Mid-America Christian 0
St. Gregory's 7, Mid-America Christian 1
USAO 12, Bacone 5
The Lady Rams will take on No. 1 OCU tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. at Ann Lacy Stadium.
 
 
Ramblings

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-The Lady Rams have eclipsed 30 wins for the first time since 2013 when the team finished 30-16.
 
-TXWES leads the all-time series with SAGU 22-2
 
-TXWES leads the all-time series with SCU 16-3.