GOODWELL, Okla. – The Tarleton TexAnn softball team took both ends of a doubleheader Tuesday in Goodwell, Okla. against Panhandle State, 11-2 and 8-1.
The TexAnns improved to 10-5-1 on the season with the sweep.
Abigail Tammen hit .714 on the day with five hits in seven at-bats with three runs batted in and three runs scored. Arianna Rodriguez and Victoria Kelly each had a .667 batting average for the doubleheader, as Rodriguez led the team with five RBI and a 1.333 slugging percentage in the two games.
The team hit a combined .443 in the two contests.
“We did a good job today of staying back on offspeed pitching,” said Tarleton head coach Julie Mata. “We stopped leaving runners stranded and pushed them across the plate.
“Arianna and Katie came up with some big hits, and Becca is really playing well,” Mata continued. “Kelsey, Amber and Katie made some beautiful plays today, and the team played solid defense.”
Tarleton will return to action on Saturday, March 5 at home when the TexAnns host Lubbock Christian for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
Tarleton 11, OPSU 2
In the top of the second inning, Arianna Rodriguez singled to leadoff the frame before Katie Welborn walked. Abigail Tammen then singled to load the bases before Marcie Rodriguez reached on a fielder's choice that put Arianna out at home. Rebecca Wessels then grounded out to the pitcher to score the runner from third and give Tarleton a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second inning, OPSU scored two runs on two hits and a passed ball to take a 2-1 lead, but it wouldn't last long.
Tarleton struck again in the top of the third inning. Samantha Swanda got a leadoff double before a sac but by Alexandria Orf moved the runner to third. Kelsey Latta then reached on a fielder's choice that put runners on the corners. Arianna Rodriguez then singled to score Swanda before Tammen singled to score both runners and give the TexAnns a 4-2 lead.
In the top of the sixth inning, Tammen had a leadoff single before Marcie Rodriguez bunted and reach on a fielder's choice, but Tammen was safe at second. Wessels walked to load the bases before Amy Gabbert had a sacrifice ground out to score Tammen. Swanda then singled to score two runners. Orf was hit by pitch before Arianna Rodriguez doubled to score Swanda. Welbon then doubled to score both runners. Tammen doubled to score Welborn as the Texans took an 11-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth.
Swanda then retired three of four batters in the bottom of the sixth to give the TexAnns the run-rule victory. Swanda pitched all six innings and gave up two runs on five hits with a walk and five strikeouts.
Tarleton 8, OPSU 1
The TexAnns struck first in the nightcap when Wessels singled with one out in the top of the third. She moved to second when Misti Lindamood grounded out the second baseman. Welborn then singled Wessels home to give the TexAnns the 1-0 lead.
In the top of the next frame, Latta got a leadoff single before a sac bunt moved her to second. A Tammen single put runners on the corners before both runners advanced on a passed ball. Brittany Dumas then singled to score Tammen and give Tarleton a 3-0 advantage.
OPSU scored its lone run on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut the lead to two, 3-1.
However, the TexAnns wasted little time jumping back onto the scoreboard when Welborn started off the fifth inning with a home run. Orf then doubled, Latta singled and then stole second and Arianna Rodriguez homered to make it 7-1 TexAnns.
In the top of the seventh with two outs, Tammen walked before Randi Fentress singled. Both runners advanced on a passed ball before a Victoria Kelly single scored Tammen to give the TexAnns the 8-1 lead.
Kriby Crow pitched the final inning and retired the side in order with two groundouts and a strikeout. Katie Smith started the game for the TexAnns in the circle and threw 4.0 innings and had one strikeout and one run on four hits. Fentress pitched 2.0 innings and gave up two hits with a strikeout.
