EDMOND, Okla. – The Tarleton TexAnns swept a Saturday Lone Star Conference South Division doubleheader on Saturday against Texas Woman's, 6-5 and 9-0.
Tarleton improved to 12-8-1 and 2-1 in the South Division with the win.
In game one, Tarleton's Randi Fentress got the win with a save from Samantha Swanda.
Swanda started the second game for the TexAnns and threw a complete game, one-hit shutout as the TexAnns claimed a 9-0 win.
Swanda was four-for-six with three runs scored, two home runs and five runs batted in while Amy Gabbert hit three-for-three in her game played.
“Yesterday, we didn't hit the ball like we knew we could, and we made a few defensive mistakes that cost us dearly,” said Tarleton head coach Julie Mata. “Today, we were much more selective at the plate and we hit the ball hard with runners in scoring position. Becca is still playing great and Samantha really hit and threw well today, too. We got some great bunts down, especially Amy Gabbert and made plays on defense. Our outfield really stepped up with Abigail out, and I was proud of that.
“In game one today, Katie, Randi, Kirby and Sam put a great combined effort in the circle,” Mata said. “It was great to see Brittany Dumas hitting the ball hard again. I was proud we bounced back and played with tenacity.”
The TexAnns will return to action at Texas A&M-Kingsville in a three-game series on March 18-19. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a single game on Saturday at noon in Kingsville.
Tarleton 6, Texas Woman's 5
The Pioneers scored first with a run on two hits in the top of the first inning before Tarleton scored in the bottom of the second. Arianna Rodriguez singled to leadoff the frame before Alexandria Orf walked. Katie Welborn singled to score Rodriguez and tie the score at one run apiece.
In the top of the third, TWU added a run on one hit to take a 2-1 lead. However, Tarleton struck back in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Samantha Swanda singled before Rodriguez doubled to score Swanda to tie the game at 2-2.
In the bottom of the fifth, Swanda homered to lift the TexAnns to a 3-2 advantage before the Pioneers added two runs in the top of the sixth to make it 4-3.
In the bottom of the sixth inning with one out, Victoria Kelly walked. With two outs, Randi Fentress singled to left center before Katie Ross came in to pinch run for the pitcher. Rebecca Wessels walked to load the bases before Kelsey Latta walked to score Kelly. Swanda then walked to score Ross and put Tarleton ahead. Wessels scored on a wild pitch to put Tarleton ahead 6-4.
TWU added a run in the top of the seventh, but Swanda came in and shut down the last two batters to preserve the inning.
Katie Smith pitched the first 2.1 innings before Fentress pitched the next 3.2 frames. Kirby Crow pitched a third of an inning before Swanda closed the inning with a save.
Tarleton 9, Texas Woman's 0 (five innings)
Swanda started the second game with a hit, but that would be the last hit the Pioneers would record – though they would get two walks off the TexAnn. Swanda recorded six strikeouts in the contest.
However, Tarleton's bats did not stop in game two. Wessels started the bottom of the first with a single and then stole second before Orf walked. Swanda then homered. Rodriguez was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a passed ball. Latta singled and both runners stole a base. With two outs, Amy Gabbert singled to score both runners before Brittany Dumas homered. The TexAnns got two more runners on, but a ground out ended the inning with Tarleton ahead, 7-0.
The TexAnns added two runs in the bottom of the third. Kelly singled to leadoff the inning before Gabbert singled and advanced Kelly to third. Gabbert stole second. With one out, Wessels singled to score Kelly. Wessels then tried to steal second, but was thrown out; however, Gabbert scored to give Tarleton a 9-0 lead.
Swanda got the win for the TexAnns.
