Angelo State University’s Rambelle softball team took home four wins this weekend and now sits at 34-9 with a 23-5 conference record. The ‘Belles beat conference rivals Western New Mexico University and Sul Ross State University and will go on the road to Austin and San Antonio, Texas to play St. Edward’s and St. Mary’s University respectively. St. Edward’s is 9-21 against Lone Star Conference opponents, while St. Mary’s sits at 17-13.
Angelo State 9, Western New Mexico 2
The ‘Belles turned a close 3-2 game into a blowout in a strong sixth inning. Taylor Haywood got the ball rolling with a single to the shortstop. Penelope Hurtado followed that up with a would-be sacrificial bunt, but an error at third base allowed her to take first and Haywood to advance to third. Kamryn Loeffler hit a single out into center field, advancing to second on the play as both Hurtado and Haywood crossed home plate. Karli Manney grounded out, but Kylie Forney walked on the 3-1 pitch.
Forney stole second, then scored from second, speeding around the bases with Loeffler as the reliable Zoey Sifuentes hit a single. The ‘Belles now held a 7-2 lead and WNMU sent a new pitcher out to the mound, hoping to keep the ‘Belles at bay. Tatiana Trotter, fresh off a record-breaking performance last week, stepped up to bat and smashed a homerun out of right field, batting in Sifuentes as the Rams took a 9-2 lead. Ashleigh Dendas took the mound for the Rambelles and struck out one hitter as the other two fouled and flew out, sealing the win for the ‘Belles.
Angelo State 12, Western New Mexico 1
Western New Mexico struck first on Friday, but the Rambelles retaliated quickly, scoring three runs apiece across four innings to take a 12-0 lead and initiate mercy rule.
Trotter hit her second homerun of the series at the bottom of the second inning, batting in Sifuentes and putting the ‘Belles up 6-0. With two outs and two on, Sifuentes stepped up to bat and smashed the 2-2 pitch out over the centerfield fence, earning a trio of runs for the ‘Belles and giving ASU a 9-0 lead.
Fast forward to the top of the fifth inning. The ‘Belles held a 12-1 lead and needed to play a clean inning to seal the win. Addy Ewing was in the pitching circle and started off hot, striking out Abbi Markus on four pitches. Ewing threw a hit by pitch, allowing WNMU to get a runner on with one out. On a full count, WNMU’s Jenna Peters grounded out to the shortstop as the ‘Belles executed an opportunistic double-play at second base, securing the win.
Angelo State 4, Sul Ross 0
The ‘Belles stud pitcher Maddison Ruiz played a good game on Sunday, pitching all seven innings and allowing just three hits all game. Ruiz struck out a Sul Ross hitter in back-to-back innings, then dialed back in in the top of the fifth, striking out two hitters and allowing a ground out on the 0-2 pitch. During the fifth, Ruiz threw 12 recorded pitches, eight of which were strikes. She shut down Sul Ross again in the final frame, with two strikeouts, including sending the Lobos final hitter down swinging.
Angelo State 9, Sul Ross 3
ASU came from behind to steal the win from Sul Ross in the final game of the weekend. The Lobos started the game off with an in-park home run from Baylie Savage. A walk and an error allowed Sul ross to get two runners on with two outs, and Savage smashed the 0-1 pitch out into centerfield, speeding home with her teammates to put a trio of runs on the board and take the lead.
The Rambelles woke up after three runless innings to four runs in the fourth inning and five more in the sixth inning to shut down the Lobos early lead and seal a fourth straight win.
Haywood got the ball rolling once again in the sixth inning with a double on the 0-2 pitch. Loeffler stepped up next and hit a single, allowing Haywood to advance to third base. Sul Ross made a change at the mound, and Loeffler stole second base. The new pitcher for the Lobos threw four straight balls, walking Manney and setting up the ‘Belles with three runners on base and no outs.
Larryn Rooks, Sul Ross’ new pitcher, was clearly feeling the pressure and walked Forney on five pitches, allowing Haywood to score and ASU to take a 5-3 lead. Sifuentes hit a single into center field, batting in Manney and Loeffler for a pair of runs. Trotter followed Sifuentes’ single with a double of her own, batting in Forney. Trotter would score from third when pinch hitter Greysen Collins hit a single into left field with two outs. Bri Waters took the circle for the final inning and struck out one Lobo hitter as the Rams won their fourth straight.
