CHICKASHA, Okla. — Texas Wesleyan (10-11, 4-4) split a doubleheader against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (14-6, 4-2) on Saturday at Bill Smith Ballpark, securing an 8-5 victory in the first game before falling 8-0 in the second.
In Game 1, Texas Wesleyan capitalized on five errors committed by the Drovers, scoring eight runs on five hits. The Rams opened the game with a strong first inning, scoring four runs.
Haylie Delarosa scored on a wild pitch, followed by
Arieanna Hernandez also scoring on a wild pitch.
Kylie Barnes and
Payton Blanco crossed home plate unearned due to an error by the second baseman, giving the Rams an early lead, 4-1.
In the second inning, Science and Arts narrowed the gap by scoring two runs, bringing the score to 4-3 in favor of the Rams. The fourth inning saw Texas Wesleyan extend its lead with three more runs.
Kadynce Crenshaw scored unearned on an error, while both
Mattee Fry and Delarosa scored unearned on a single by Hernandez. The Rams led 7-4. In the seventh inning, the Rams added one more run to their tally, with
KK Moore scoring unearned due to an error by the shortstop. The Drovers managed to score one run in their half of the inning, finalizing the score at 8-5.
Barnes delivered a complete game performance for the Rams, pitching 7 innings while allowing 5 earned runs on 11 hits. She struck out 2 batters and issued 2 walks over 101 pitches, of which 65 were strikes. Barnes also managed to handle 9 groundouts and 7 flyouts, finishing with a WHIP of 1.86. Despite conceding 5 runs, Barnes maintained control on the mound, contributing a strong outing in the face of consistent pressure. Delarosa contributed significantly with two runs and two RBIs, adding a stolen base to her performance. Hernandez recorded two hits and drove in two runs, enhancing the team's offensive efforts.
In Game 2, Texas Wesleyan faced Science and Arts in a game that concluded with an 8-0 decision. Science and Arts recorded 10 hits and stole six bases to secure the victory. In the first inning, Science and Arts took an early lead, scoring three runs. Maddy Baber drove in the first run with a single, followed by Maveryck Lightfoot and Jadyn Goucher, who added to the score with an RBI single and a triple, respectively. The inning ended with Science and Arts ahead 3-0.
The second inning saw Science and Arts extend its lead by two more runs. A sacrifice fly by Leighanne Eaton brought home Savannah Senkel and Jordan Ramsay, making it 5-0 in favor of the Drovers. Texas Wesleyan managed to get on base in the fourth inning with a single by Barnes but could not convert it into runs. The score remained 5-0 after four innings.
Science and Arts capitalized on defensive errors in the fifth inning, scoring three unearned runs. Lilyana Portillo's single brought in two runs, and a wild pitch allowed another to score, bringing the game to its final score of 8-0.
Hope Grant pitched for 3 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and five runs, with two earned runs on Science and Arts. Grant issued three walks and struck out one batter, delivering 71 pitches, with 37 counted as strikes. Despite a challenging outing, Grant managed to induce five flyouts and four groundouts, showing some effectiveness in limiting further damage.
Blanco led the defensive efforts with four assists. Barnes contributed offensively with one hit in two at-bats, maintaining a 1.000 OPS.
KK Moore added a hit and a ground out, reaching base once in two plate appearances.
The Rams return home next weekend as they take on conference foe Southwestern Christian four a four game series starting on Friday, March 13 with a doubleheader at 1pm and 3pm.
