Hobbs, New Mexico – The Pioneers made history this afternoon by winning game 2 of the doubleheader at the University of the Southwest (NM) to claim the first official win in program history. After falling 7-6 in game 1, the Pioneers were able to knock off the Mustangs 4-3.
Wayland Baptist did damage early to the University of the Southwest – scoring one run in the 1
st inning and 5 runs in the 2
nd.
Mikayla Carrillo hit a double to lead off the game, and she eventually came around to score on an RBI single by
Berkley Bradley to make it 1-0. With the bases loaded in the 2
nd inning, Carrillo ripped a double to score two runs and make it a 3-0 Pioneer lead.
Arianna Zubia followed with an RBI single to make it 4-0 Pioneers.
Reagan Davis followed Zubia with a double that scored a runner from second to increase their lead to 5-0. A Mustang passed ball brought in the final Pioneer run in the 2
nd inning and made the score 6-0. The Mustangs battled back with one run in the 3
rd inning, two runs in the 4
th inning, and four runs in the 5
th inning to take a 7-6 lead. The Pioneers were unable to bring another run in and fell short in game 1, 7-6.
Addy Rich made the start for the Pioneers in game 1, and she pitched 3 innings, allowing 1 run, 1 walk, and striking out 5 Mustang batters.
Mikayla Carrillo finished game 1 hitting 2-4 with 2 RBIs and two runs scored.
Arianna Zubia went 1-3 with an RBI, a walk, and a run scored.
Reagan Davis finished 2-4 with an RBI double and a stolen base.
Wayland Baptist began game two the same way they started game 1 – by scoring runs early on and gaining early momentum. The Pioneers were able to capitalize on two Mustang errors to scratch across a couple of runs in the 1
st inning.
KJ Ray added an RBI groundout to give the Pioneers a 3-0 lead after the top of the 1
st inning. The Mustangs got a run back in their half of the 1
st to make the score 3-1. After two scoreless innings, the Pioneers were able to load the bases after a Rich double, a hit by pitch, and two walks got another run across to increase their lead to 4-1. The Mustangs got two runs back in the bottom of the 6
th inning after an RBI triple and a sacrifice fly to make the score 4-3.
Amber Poorbaugh got a 1-2-3 7
th inning to make history for the Pioneers as they secure the programs first victory in history, 4-3.
Amber Poorbaugh threw a gem – pitching a complete game, 3 runs, 7 hits, 1 walk, and 5 strikeout performance to shut down the Mustangs and lock up the victory for the Pioneers.
Carrillo went 2-4 with a run scored and a double. Zubia went 1-2 with a run scored, two walks, and a stolen base.
Jadyn Fernandez went 2-4 with a stolen base.
KJ Ray went 0-3 with an RBI groundout and a walk.
Head Coach Enrique Villa was proud of his team's fight and confidence today saying, "Our kids were focused and determined. We had come up short the first three games of the series, but our kids didn't put their head down. They just kept fighting. Our team is blending and playing with confidence. I am very proud of them."
Up next for the Wayland Baptist softball team is a road trip to Tyler, Texas, where they will face Texas College in a doubleheader on Friday afternoon. First pitch for game 1 is set for 2:00 PM.
