FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas Wesleyan (11-12, 5-5) split a doubleheader against Southwestern Christian (11-5, 4-4) at Sycamore Park, winning the first game 4-2 and falling in the second game 5-1.

In the first game, Texas Wesleyan secured a 4-2 victory, led by Kylie Barnes' strong performance on the mound, where she recorded eight strikeouts over 7 innings and allowed only five hits. The Rams jumped out to an early lead in the first inning when Rachet Houston doubled to center field and scored on an RBI single by Arieanna Hernandez, making it 1-0.

The third inning saw Texas Wesleyan extend its lead. Haylie Delarosa led off with a double and was driven in by another double from Hernandez. Payton Blanco added to the tally with an RBI double, bringing Hernandez home. The Rams led 3-0 at the end of the third inning.

Southwestern Christian responded in the fourth inning. Jessie Moralez reached base and was replaced by pinch runner Payton Leba, who scored on a sacrifice fly by Kylah Daniel. An RBI single by Trinity Norwood brought Ebony Garza home, narrowing the gap to 3-2.

In the fifth inning, Texas Wesleyan added an insurance run. Hernandez singled and scored on a double by Barnes, pushing the lead to 4-2. The Rams' defense held the Eagles scoreless for the remainder of the game, securing the win.

Barnes delivered a stellar performance, pitching a complete game with seven innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out a season-high eight batters and walking two, maintaining a WHIP of 1.00. This outing marked her eighth win of the season, improving her record to 8-3. Hernandez recorded three hits, including a double, drove in two runs, and scored twice. Delarosa contributed with a double and a run scored from the leadoff spot. Houston added a double and scored once, playing a key role in the outfield with four putouts.

In the second game, Texas Wesleyan fell to Southwestern Christian with a final score of 5-1. Despite the defeat, the Lady Rams' pitching staff recorded nine strikeouts over seven innings. Texas Wesleyan opened the scoring in the first inning when Hernandez singled to left field, followed by a single from Barnes that advanced Hernandez. Blanco then singled to left, bringing Hernandez home on a fielding error by the left fielder, giving the Rams a 1-0 lead.

However, Southwestern Christian tied the game in the third inning. With two runners on base, Jessie Moralez singled to center field, allowing Hannah Keele to score, leveling the score at 1-1.

In the fifth inning, Southwestern Christian pulled ahead. Ebony Garza tripled to left field, scoring Keele. Sabrina Gilbert's single and Trinity Norwood's hit to left center added two more runs, bringing the score to 4-1 in favor of the Eagles by the end of the inning.

Southwestern Christian extended its lead in the sixth inning when Keele tripled to left center and scored on Garza's groundout to shortstop, pushing the score to 5-1. The Lady Rams were unable to close the gap through the remaining innings, resulting in a final score of 5-1.

Hope Grant pitched three innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out four batters. She faced 15 batters, issuing two walks and throwing a total of 64 pitches, with 35 strikes. Grant also recorded a triple against her in the sixth inning. Hernandez pitched four innings, striking out five batters and allowing three earned runs. Blanco contributed one hit and one RBI while also being hit by a pitch. Barnes added a hit in her three at-bats, while Christina Jackson provided a hit from the leadoff position, reaching base once in her three appearances.

The Rams stay home as they have another doubleheader against the Eagles on Saturday, March 14 with games at 12 and 2.