STEPHENVILLE Texas – Lamar University softball split a doubleheader Friday afternoon at the Tarleton Softball Complex. The Cardinals used a five-run first inning to secure an 11-9 victory in game one. The Texans took game two on a walk-off RBI single.
Junior infielder Nicolette Ramirez had a monstrous game one. The San Antonio native finished the game 4-for-5 driving in five RBIs and scoring three runs. Ramirez finished the game a triple shy of the cycle. Her three-run shot in the fifth inning gave LU a 10-2 lead.
The first inning could not have started the game much better. The Cardinals batted around and chased the Tarleton starter before an out was recorded. Sophomore infielder Sam Bean led off the first with a single up the middle. She would score from first base on a Ramirez RBI double. Sophomore outfielder Hayley Freudenberg brought in Ramirez on another RBI double. Freudenberg scored on an RBI single from sophomore outfielder Audry Fleming. After a walk was issued to junior catcher Felixia Hinojosa, sophomore infielder Brooke Davis produced an RBI single to bring in Fleming. The scoring would be capped off with Hinojosa scoring on an RBI double by freshman outfielder Piper Hankins. The RBI double was the first extra-base hit of Hankins' career.
After giving up two runs in the second, LU answered with two runs of its own in the third. Hinojosa blasted a solo home run to left-center that hit off a light pole. Two batters later, Hankins singled. She would come around to score on a Ramirez RBI single to left field. The score remained 7-2 until the fifth inning.
The fifth inning started with Davis being plunked. She advanced on a single from Hankins. Two batters later, Ramirez blasted her second home run of the season, extending the lead to 10-2.
Tarleton managed to avoid being run-ruled with a homer in the bottom of the fifth. LU added one final run in the top of the seventh when Ramirez scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of sophomore pinch-hitter Janelle Marwitz. The Texans rallied in the seventh, but the Cardinals managed to hold on for the victory. Senior pitcher Aaliyah Ruiz picked up the win, striking out seven batters. She allowed four runs, two earned, on seven hits, two hit batters, and one walk over 6.2 innings.
Game two did not go the way of the Cardinals, but there were certainly bright spots. Bean extended her on-base streak in WAC play to 18-games with a 2-for-3 performance. She scored twice while driving in one more. Senior Kaylee Ancelot finished 1-for 3 on the day, driving in Bean both times she came across to score. Freshman pinch-runner Kalyn Xayaseng also played a pivotal role to tie up the game in the sixth inning. She beat out tags at third and home to force a bottom of the seventh.
The series split sets up a rubber match in LU's final road game of the season. The game can be viewed on the WAC Digital Network. First pitch at the Tarleton Softball Complex is set for 1 p.m. Saturday.
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