BETHANY, OK – Texas Wesleyan University (20-16) split a four-game series with Southwestern Christian University (24-18) in a tightly contested battle between conference opponents.
In game one, the Rams had a loud start with a massive two-run homer from
Kylie Barnes to put the Rams up 2-0. The Eagles answered back with a run scoring off a wild pitch, then again in the bottom of the third with an RBI double to tie the game 2-2 going into the fourth.
In the top of the fourth,
Abbie Bird helped the Rams regain the lead with another Ram home run. Later in the top of the fifth,
Jaelin Ornelas recorded another RBI as she drove
EB Zimmerman across the plate to help the Rams take a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, the Eagles scored five runs that were results from a home run, a passed ball, two RBI singles, and a sacrifice fly to take the lead 7-4 after five innings of play.
Bird had a sacrifice fly to shrink the lead to two, only for the Eagles to answer back and extended their lead to 8-5. Going into the top of the seventh the Rams needed a big inning, things got off to a good start with a few hits and an RBI single from Barnes and a sacrifice fly from
Ally Hinojosa to cut the lead down to one. Unfortunately that was all the Rams could muster as they fell in game one with a score of 8-7.
Bird was given the loss after giving up seven runs in only four and one-thirds innings pitched. The loss drops her season record to 10-8.
In game two, the two teams once again were trading blows and going back and forth. Barnes got things started off with an RBI double, but that was unfortunately answered by the Eagles in the bottom of the first. In the second the Rams once again got on the board with an RBI from
Mattee Fry to take the lead 2-1. The Eagles had plans of their own, as they scored four runs off a two RBI double and a two RBI single.
What the Eagles didn't plan was a direct answer back the next inning as the Rams scored four of their own to take the lead once again. Hinojosa ripped an RBI single to score the first run, then just after
Kadynce Crenshaw walked in a run, then Delarosa drove in two more with a two RBI single. Going into the fourth, the Eagles once again score as the game was tied 6-6 going into the fifth inning.
Late game heroics weren't just hope, but a reality as Bird launched a two-run home run, her second on the day, to extend the lead and lead to the eventual win 8-6 in favor of the Rams.
Barnes came away with the win as she increased her win total and record to 11-7.
The Rams return to action on Monday as they travel to Oklahoma City to take on conference foes Mid-America Christian in a two game series at 1pm and 3pm.
