CLARENDON – Playing just its second series in program history, the Wayland Baptist softball team picked up its first win…make that wins.
The Pioneers – competing in an exhibition season ahead of a countable schedule in 2024 – swept Clarendon College in a doubleheader here Wednesday, 11-2 and 12-2. Both games ended early on the 8-runs-after-five innings mercy rule.
"The girls played well," WBU coach Enrique Villa said. "We hit the ball really well through the lineup; I think everyone got at least one hit on the day.
"I'm super proud of our kids."
In the opener, junior ace
Clarissa Rejino of Muleshoe allowed seven hits while striking out four and walking two in her five innings. Rejino also had four hits in the doubleheader.
The Pioneers scored in each of the first four innings, including a five-run second. Freshman
Aaleah Rodriguez of Plainview (1-for-2) and sophomore
Reagan Davis of Salem, Ore., (2-for-4) logged three RBIs each, with Davis belting a two-run homer.
Mikayla Carrillo, a freshman from Plainview, ended 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
In game 2, Wayland produced 15 hits, breaking things open with a six-run fourth followed by a four-run fifth.
Sophomore
Ashley Bauler of Lubbock, who in the opener played the final inning as a defensive replacement at third and turned two nice plays, was the winning pitcher, surrendering eight hits while walking three and striking out two in five innings of work.
Villa called Bauler's pitching performance "a big surprise" after she recently was added to the Pioneers' bullpen due to injuries. The coach said Bauler hit her locations well and "our defense did a good job."
Rodriguez, playing catcher, went 4-for-4 and scored three runs, Carillo was 2-for-2 with a solo homer and three runs scored, and Plainview freshman
Madison Martinez 2-for-4 with two runs.
On the day, Clarendon committed nine errors while Wayland was error-free.
The wins came after the Pioneers dropped their season-openers to University of the Southwest (N.M.), 3-1 and 4-3.
After a day off Thursday, the Pioneers are back at it this weekend against Howard College in Big Spring with single games at noon both Friday and Saturday.
(Wayland is playing an exhibition schedule in 2023 before competing as a Sooner Athletic Conference team with a countable schedule in 2024).
