FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas Wesleyan University (24-21, 18-14) and Central Christian College (16-27, 8-24) faced off in a doubleheader, with the Rams securing a narrow victory in the first game but falling short in the second.
In game one, Texas Wesleyan clinched a thrilling win over Central Christian in extra innings, showcasing their offensive consistency. The Rams jumped to an early lead when
Kylie Barnes doubled down the right field line in the first inning, driving in
Rachet Houston, who had singled and stolen second.
In the second inning,
EB Zimmerman walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Mattee Fry.
Katie Rodriguez then singled up the middle, scoring Zimmerman, extending the lead to 2–0. Central Christian responded in the third with three runs, including a two-RBI double by Jaci Jeffers, taking a 3–2 lead. They added another run in the fourth, making it 4–2.
Texas Wesleyan rallied in the fifth:
Katie Rodriguez and
Haylie Delarosa each singled, followed by a walk to
Rachet Houston, loading the bases. Barnes doubled to left center, bringing home Delarosa and Rodriguez, while Zimmerman singled through the right side, allowing Houston to score, reclaiming the lead at 5–4. In the sixth, Central Christian tied the game 5–5 when Abigail James scored on a single by Baylee Blackburn.
The game remained tied until the eighth inning, where
Kadynce Crenshaw, pinch running for Fry, advanced to third on an error and scored the decisive run on a single by
Haylie Delarosa, securing a 6–5 victory for Texas Wesleyan.
Reagan Avants had a standout performance, pitching 2 2/3 innings without allowing a hit or walk, striking out one batter.
Kylie Barnes led the offensive charge with three hits and three RBIs, including two doubles.
Rachet Houston scored twice and showcased her speed with a stolen base, while Zimmerman also contributed two hits, a run, and an RBI.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Texas Wesleyan fell to Central Christian in a narrow 4–3 defeat. The Rams managed four hits, including a double, but a decisive four-run sixth inning by the Tigers proved to be the difference-maker.
In the second inning, Texas Wesleyan capitalized on an error by the Tigers, allowing
EB Zimmerman to reach base.
Reagan Avants doubled to bring Zimmerman home, scoring the first run. Avants advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on
Mattee Fry's single, putting the Rams ahead 2–0. The fifth inning saw Avants return to action with a single, and after a series of plays, she scored again when
Payton Blanco drew a walk, extending the lead to 3–0.
However, Central Christian responded in the sixth inning, beginning with Ashley Vaccaro being hit by a pitch and stealing second. A sequence of hits and a costly error by the Rams allowed Central Christian to score four runs, overtaking the lead at 4–3.
Texas Wesleyan was unable to score in the final innings, concluding the game with a 4–3 loss. Avants pitched a complete game, allowing eight hits and four runs over 7 innings, recording four strikeouts and issuing no walks. She contributed offensively with two hits, including a double, and scored two runs while adding an RBI. Fry also had a hit and an RBI, while Blanco drew a walk and contributed an RBI to the team's effort.
The Rams will face off with Nelson next weekend in Waxahachie, TX in the final regular season series with doubleheaders Friday and Saturday.
