FORT WORTH - Texas Wesleyan Softball (6-18, 3-7 SAC) ran into a buzzsaw Friday afternoon whose blades read Defending National Champions, No. 1 in the NAIA and unbeaten - 23-0. But the University of Science and Arts-Oklahoma did not get to just cut through the Lady Rams easily at Sycamore Park - it was tough work. Ultimately, USAO (now 25-0) took two from TXWES - 6-1 in Game 1 and 5-3 in Game 2.

Lacy Mann put on one heck of an effort in Game 2 on the mound. Mann struck out six in seven innings against the nation's No. 1 hitting team (batting average .411 coming in). She only walked three, making the Drovers earn everything they got. The Lady Rams defense stranded seven USAO baserunners and made some tremendous plays throughout, including a double play in the fourth as Mann threw back to catcher Paige Spieker for the out at home and Spieker turned and fired to first base, hitting Destinie Lookout in the back on her way there (official ruling was the baserunner obstructed the throw, by not using the runner's lane to first).

In the sixth frame, Spieker caught Alyson Clemence stealing with a perfect throw to second base. It was the sophomore's first double play and successful pick-off of the season as she tied her season high with eight total putouts.

These defensive efforts helped keep things close while the heavy-hitting Drovers smacked homers in the first and seventh innings for three of their five runs in the game.

Texas Wesleyan found some offense too, most notably in the bottom of the second frame. Bailey Terry started the inning taking a walk, the only one given up by USAO in Game 2. Lacy Mann reached on a fielder's choice after the throw to second base didn't make it in time. Kimani Ferguson got the start in Game 2 after coming in as a pinch hitter in the first battle and lined a single up the middle to load the bases - all still with no outs. 

Terry then scored on a fielder's choice (taking Mann out at third) on Sandra Lopez' successful swing. Finally, Kylie Summers - batting from the nine-hole - had the second biggest hit of the day - a single to left center that brought home Lopez and Ferguson to tie the game.

The biggest hit of the day? That came from Terry, as she provided some hope in Game 1 with a home run into left field in the bottom of the fourth. It was Terry's 32nd home run in her four seasons at Texas Wesleyan. She is now one away from tying the individual career record for home runs - the 33 that Rachel Hampton hit during her stretch from 2004-07.

Makenna Aycock got the start on the mound in Game 1 and managed to strike out five Drovers, but the Lady Rams couldn't find enough offense to keep up with three more USAO deep shots plus a critical triple that brought in three in the top of the second.

PROOF IN THE NUMBERS
11 runs is the second-fewest runs allowed to USAO this season in a two-game stretch against the same opponent, tying No. 2 Oklahoma City's efforts against USAO. Only Friends University (Kan.) allowed less - 10 - way back in non-conference play on February 12.

WHAT'S NEXT
Texas Wesleyan, weather permitting, will host Mid-America Christian tomorrow starting at noon (doubleheader) at Sycamore Park. Rams fans should keep an eye on TXWES social media for delays, postponements or cancellations.