Hobbs, New Mexico – The Pioneer softball team were on the road for the first time in the young 2024 season as they traveled to Hobbs to take on the University of the Southwest (N.M.) in a Friday doubleheader. The Pioneers fell short in both games, dropping the first game 4-3 and game two 3-2.
Wayland Baptist fell behind in game one 4-0 after the 4
th inning, but the Pioneers were able to battle back with 3 runs in the 6
th to gain much needed momentum. The Pioneer comeback would fall one run short as they fell 4-3 in game one against the University of the Southwest.
Clarissa Rejino got the start for Wayland Baptist, and she pitched 6 innings, giving up 4 runs and only one earned run, 7 hits, no walks, and 6 strikeouts.
Arianna Zubia went 2-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Jenna Sepeda went 2-3 with an RBI.
Jadyn Fernandez went 1-3 with an RBI.
Wayland Baptist got out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the 1
st inning of game two after Davis reached by an error, advanced to third on another error, and scored on a wild pitch. After shutting down the Mustangs 1-2-3 in the first, USW was able to respond in the bottom of the 2
nd by scratching across 3 runs. In the Pioneers top half of the 3
rd,
Mikayla Carrillo was able to drive a double, but the Pioneers were unable to bring her around to score. In the top of the 7
th,
Kaci Rivera was able to hit a fly ball deep enough into left field to score Aleah Rodriguez from third to cut the Pioneer deficit to 3-2. However, the Pioneers were unable to bring another run in and fell just short in game 2 against the University of the Southwest, 3-2.
Amber Poorbaugh pitched six solid innings, giving up 3 runs, 6 hits, and 3 strikeouts with no walks. The Pioneer offense totaled 5 hits from Carrillo, Ray,
Madison Martinez,
Jadyn Fernandez, and
Tiggy Rayos.
The Pioneers will look to knock off the University of the Southwest (NM.) in another doubleheader on Saturday with first pitch of game 1 scheduled for 12:00 PM.
