EDMOND, Okla. – The Tarleton TexAnn softball team split a doubleheader at Central Oklahoma Friday in Edmond, Okla. Tarleton won the first game (7-6) before losing the nightcap (7-4).
Victoria Kelly led the TexAnns at the plate, going four-of-eight on the day, including a three-for-four outing in game two.
Tarleton will return to action on Tuesday, March 23 at St. Mary's. The doubleheader in San Antonio is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
Tarleton 7, Central Oklahoma 6
The TexAnns scored first with six runs in the top of the third inning when Amy Gabbert began the inning reaching first on a throwing error by the pitcher. Rebecca Wessels used a sacrifice bunt to move Gabbert to second before Kelly singled to center to put runners at the corners. Kelly stole second before Julie Norris loaded the bases after a fielder's choice. April Gonzalez singled to left to score two runs. Arianna Rodriguez tripled to left center to score two more runs. Tami Sutton flew out to left before a Brittany Terry double down the left field to score Rodriguez. Terry then stole third before taking home on a fielding error by the left fielder. Tarleton lead 6-0.
UCO tied the game with six runs on four this in the bottom of the seventh inning to send the game into extra innings.
Rodriguez then nailed a homer over the left centerfield fence to put the TexAnns on top 7-6. The Bronchos got a single with one, but Norris forced to fly balls to end the inning and give the TexAnns the win.
Norris pitched all eight innings and allowed six runs on nine hits with one walk and five strikeouts. She improved to 7-7 on the season.
Central Oklahoma 7, Tarleton 4
The TexAnns struck first in the nightcap in the top of the third frame. Megan Eldridge had a single to left before a sacrifice by Wessels moved the runner to second. Eldridge then went to third on a passed ball prior to a Kelly double that scored the runner to give Tarleton an early 1-0 lead.
UCO then scored six runs off seven hits in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-1 advantage.
Tarleton responded in the top of the next inning. Rodriguez doubled to left before a Sutton ground out. Rodriguez advanced to third before a Terry ground out scored the runner to make it 6-2.
The Bronchos added one run on two hits in the bottom of the sixth to increase the lead to 7-2, but Tarleton added more runs in the top of the seventh.
Eldridge walked to lead off the last frame before Wessels flew out to left. Kelly doubled down the left field line to put both runners in scoring position. Norris lined to left and Gonzalez doubled to left center to score both Kelly and Eldridge. Rodriguez then ended the threat after flying out to left. Tarleton lost the game, 7-4.
Katie Smith started the game and fell to 4-6 overall after pitching the first 2.2 innings and allowing six runs on nine hits. Brandie Simmons pitched 1.2 innings and gave up three hits and a walk before Norris finished the game and pitched 1.2 innings and allowed one run on two hits.
