FORT WORTH, TX - Texas Wesleyan University (10-10) and Wayland Baptist University (9-15) split a pair of games in the doubleheader on Saturday to take a 3-1 series lead. The Rams are now 8-4 in conference play while the Pioneers fall to 3-9.
In game one, the Rams displayed a solid all-around performance, as they claimed a 6-2 victory over Wayland Baptist. The game, which took place at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth, Texas, saw the Rams capitalize on timely hitting and strong pitching from Abbie Bird, who earned the win and improved her season record to 6-4.
The Rams struck early in the first inning when Kylie Barnes doubled through the left side to score EB Zimmerman, evening the score at 1-1 after Wayland Baptist had taken a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by B. Araujo. The game remained tight through the second, but the Rams took control in the third inning. Jaelin Ornelas singled up the middle for a two-RBI hit, scoring Kylie Barnes and Kaydence Crenshaw to give Texas Wesleyan a 3-1 lead.
Wayland Baptist responded in the fourth inning when Araujo homered to center field, bringing the game within 3-2. However, the Rams answered quickly. In the bottom of the fourth, Ashley Darilek tripled to center field, driving in both Zimmerman and Haylie Delarosa. Shortly after, Barnes grounded out to shortstop, scoring Darilek to extend the Rams' lead to 6-2.
From there, the Texas Wesleyan defense, led by Bird's stellar pitching, kept Wayland Baptist off the board. Bird threw all seven innings, allowing just five hits, two runs, and striking out four to pick up the win. Despite a solid effort from Wayland's pitcher, A. Poorbaugh, who allowed six earned runs in 3.1 innings of work, the Rams' offense proved to be too much.
The win was highlighted by a balanced offensive attack, as Darilek and Ornelas each drove in two runs, and the team combined for 10 hits on the day.
In game two of the doubleheader Saturday, the Rams came up short in a hard-fought battle., Wayland Baptist came from behind to secure a 4-3 victory over the rams. Wayland Baptist scored three runs in the final inning to rally for the win. Texas Wesleyan was unable to hold on after leading for most of the game, despite a strong effort from pitcher Kylie Barnes, who took the loss, dropping her record to 4-6 on the season.
The Rams took an early lead in the second inning, thanks to a clutch two-RBI double from Haylie Delarosa, which brought in Devin Dunn and Abbie Bird, putting Texas Wesleyan ahead 2-0. The score held until the fourth inning when Wayland Baptist got on the board. After an unearned run scored on a wild pitch, Wayland tied the game at 2-2, with A. Poorbaugh crossing the plate. A solo home run from Bird in the bottom of the fourth briefly put the Rams back in front, 3-2.
The game remained tight as both teams' defenses held firm. In the seventh inning, Wayland Baptist executed a thrilling comeback. B. Araujo hit a three-run home run to left-center field, scoring Carrillo and Sanchez, which gave Wayland Baptist the lead for the first time, 4-3. Texas Wesleyan fought hard in the final frame but could not generate enough offense to reclaim the lead.
A. Armstrong pitched a complete game for Wayland Baptist, allowing just three runs on seven hits while striking out three, earning her fourth win of the season. On the other hand, Barnes also threw the full seven innings for the Rams, giving up four runs on eight hits with six strikeouts in the loss.
Texas Wesleyan's offense was led by Delarosa, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Bird, who contributed with a solo home run. However, the Rams left nine runners on base, unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities.
With the win, Wayland Baptist improved to 9-15 on the season, while Texas Wesleyan dropped to 10-10 and 8-4 in conference play.
The Rams return to action next weekend as they travel to Central Christian College of Kansas.
