FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas Wesleyan University (23-20, 17-13) faced Central Christian College (KS) (15-26, 7-23) in a doubleheader at Sycamore Park, resulting in two close contests. In the first game, Texas Wesleyan fell to Central Christian with a final score of 8–5, while in the second game, the Rams lost again, this time 6–4.
In game one, the scoring started in the third inning, with Central Christian putting two runs on the board. Jaci Jeffers' single brought in two runs, giving Central Christian a 2–0 lead. In the fourth inning, the Rams responded with
Kylie Barnes hitting a home run to right center, narrowing Central Christian's lead to 3–1. Central Christian added two more runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by Abby Schleisman's two-run homer, extending their lead to 5–1.
The sixth inning saw Central Christian score three more runs, featuring Paige Major's solo home run and Ashley Vaccaro's RBI double. Texas Wesleyan answered back with two runs in their half of the inning as
Rachet Houston and
Haylie Delarosa crossed the plate due to a fielding error, making the score 8–3. In the seventh inning, the Rams attempted a comeback;
Kadynce Crenshaw doubled, bringing home
EB Zimmerman, followed by Delarosa's triple scoring Crenshaw. However, the rally fell short, concluding the game at 8–5 in favor of Central Christian.
Reagan Avants pitched 2 innings for Texas Wesleyan, allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits with 1 walk. Delarosa recorded two hits, including a triple, and added an RBI. Barnes hit a home run, driving in two runs and scoring once herself. Crenshaw collected a double, scored a run, and added an RBI, while Houston contributed with two hits and scored a run.
In the second game, Texas Wesleyan and Central Christian remained scoreless until the fifth inning. The Rams capitalized on an error to get
Katie Rodriguez on base. A sacrifice fly by
Payton Blanco brought Rodriguez home after Delarosa's advance.
Kylie Barnes followed with a two-run homer to left field, driving in Delarosa and herself, giving the Rams a 3–0 lead by the end of the fifth inning.
Central Christian responded in the sixth inning with a series of plays, including a wild pitch that allowed Jaci Jeffers to score, followed by an error and another wild pitch that contributed to their offensive surge, resulting in four additional runs. Texas Wesleyan managed to score once more in their half of the sixth when
Christina Jackson crossed home plate on a groundout by Rodriguez. By the end of the sixth inning, Central Christian led 5–4. In the seventh inning, Central Christian extended its lead with a solo homer by Abby Schleisman.
Texas Wesleyan attempted a rally with Blanco doubling down the line and Barnes receiving a walk, but the team was unable to convert these opportunities into runs, concluding the game with Central Christian claiming a 6–4 victory.
Hope Grant pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits while issuing seven walks and striking out three batters.
Reagan Avants relieved Grant, pitching 1 2/3 innings and allowing two earned runs on two hits, including one home run. Barnes made a notable contribution with a home run and two RBIs. Blanco added a double and drove in one run, while Rodriguez scored one run and collected an RBI. Delarosa reached base three times with one hit and two walks.
The Rams return to action against the Tigers on Saturday, April 18 for Senior day in a doubleheader, starting at 2pm.
