FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas Wesleyan University(5-6) swept Tabor College(6-8) in Saturday's doubleheader, winning the first game 7-0 and then edging out an 8-7 victory in the second game.

In the first game, Texas Wesleyan's Kylie Barnes pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out seven and allowing six hits. The Rams secured a decisive 7-0 victory over Tabor, highlighted by a strong start in the first inning. Rachet Houston singled and later scored on a play involving Payton Blanco, who reached third on an error. Barnes tripled, bringing Blanco home, and later scored on a single by KK Moore, giving the Rams a 3-0 lead after the first inning.

In the third inning, Blanco tripled and scored on a wild pitch, while Barnes reached base again and scored on an error, extending the lead to 5-0 by the end of the inning. The fourth inning saw further scoring from Texas Wesleyan as Blanco singled to drive in Kadynce Crenshaw, followed by a single from Arieanna Hernandez that brought Blanco home, pushing the score to 7-0. Texas Wesleyan's defense and pitching kept Tabor scoreless throughout the game, leading to the final score of 7-0.

Barnes delivered a standout performance on the mound, improving her record to 3-2 on the season. Over 7 innings, she allowed 6 hits with no runs and struck out 7 batters while issuing no walks. She faced 30 batters and maintained a WHIP of 0.86, throwing 112 pitches with 78 strikes. Offensively, Blanco recorded three hits, including a triple, and scored three runs while driving in one. Barnes contributed with two hits, two runs, and a triple, while Houston added two hits and scored a run, stealing a base in the process. Moore also had a strong performance with three hits and an RBI.

In the second game, Texas Wesleyan faced Tabor in another tightly contested match, ultimately securing an 8-7 victory. The offense was highlighted by two triples from Barnes, contributing to a team15-hit performance. Tabor jumped to an early lead with three runs in the first inning, including a two-run double by R. Hammons. Texas Wesleyan responded with two runs, as Blanco scored on Barnes' RBI triple, followed by Hernandez's RBI single, ending the inning with Tabor ahead 3-2.

In the second inning, Texas Wesleyan seized control, scoring four runs. Christina Jackson singled and advanced on a sacrifice by Crenshaw. Houston's double brought Jackson home, and Blanco reached on an error, allowing Houston to score. Barnes doubled to score Blanco, and Hernandez added another RBI single to bring Barnes in, giving Texas Wesleyan a 6-3 lead after two innings.

Tabor tied the game in the fourth inning with three runs, including RBI contributions from Hammons and M. Milne, making it 6-6 at the end of the fourth. Tabor took a 7-6 lead in the sixth inning with a run-scoring double by C. Moreno-Ha. However, Texas Wesleyan rallied in the seventh inning, with Barnes tripling and a pinch runner, Katie Rodriguez, scoring on Hernandez's single. EB Zimmerman then singled, scoring Hernandez, giving Texas Wesleyan an 8-7 lead, which they maintained to win the game.

Reagan Avants pitched 3 2/3 innings for Texas Wesleyan, allowing six earned runs on eight hits while walking four, facing 24 batters and recording one strikeout with a total of 88 pitches thrown, 49 of which were strikes. Despite the challenging outing, Avants held the opposing team scoreless in situations with runners in scoring position, delivering 1 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run during critical moments. Hernandez came in for relief and earned her first win of the season, bringing her record to 1-0.

Barnes continued her standout performance, collecting three hits, including two triples and a double, while driving in two runs. Hernandez also made a significant contribution, recording three hits and three RBIs while pitching 3 1/3 innings with only one earned run allowed. Houston added two hits, a run scored, and an RBI, alongside drawing a walk, while Blanco crossed the plate twice, aiding Texas Wesleyan's scoring opportunities.

The Rams continue their homestead on Tuesday, February 24 against Dallas Christian College in a doubleheader at 1pm and 3pm.