Plainview – The Pioneers used timely hitting with runners in scoring position to take down the Evangels of Mid-America Christian University (Okla.) in game two, earning a Saturday doubleheader split and taking one during the 4-game weekend set against MACU.
Wayland Baptist fell in a hole early in game one on Saturday after MACU drove in 3 first inning runs with two RBI singles to gain the early momentum. The Evangels got another run in the top of the 3
rd after a triple down the left field line plus an error on the Pioneers allowed her to sprint all the way around and score to make it 4-0. MACU extended their lead to 7-0 in the top of the 7
th after a two-run double and an RBI groundout. The Pioneers wouldn't get shutout in game one after getting runners on second and third with two outs for
Jadyn Fernandez, who hit a soft grounder to short and showed off her wheels by beating out the throw with a head-first slide into first to make it 7-1.
Mikayla Carrillo followed Fernandez with a sharp line drive to left that was robbed of extra bases by the Evangels left fielder with a nice diving grab to end game one at 7-1.
Clarissa Rejino got the game one start for the Pioneers, and she battled through six innings allowing 5 earned runs, one walk, and 3 strikeouts.
Amber Poorbaugh threw a scoreless inning in relief.
Fernandez finished 2-4 with two singles and an RBI.
Mikayla Carrillo and
Addy Rich combined for the other 3 base hits for the Pioneers in game one.
MACU opened the scoring in game two after a sacrifice fly brought a runner in from third to make it 1-0, but Pioneer left fielder
Madison Martinez made a terrific diving grab that prevented multiple runs scoring. The Pioneers jumped all over the Evangels in the bottom of the 4
th for 3 runs that started with Martinez smashing a double into the right center field gap that scored two runners to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead. Fernandez followed her up with a single to center to score Martinez from second to make it 3-1, Pioneers. The Evangels got one run back in the top of the 5th after an RBI triple made it 3-2. After a scoreless 6
th, Rich retired the Evangels 1-2-3 to give Wayland Baptist the 3-2 win in game two of the Saturday doubleheader.
Rich started game two for the Pioneers, and she went seven outstanding innings allowing two runs, no walks, and 6 strikeouts. Rich picked up her 8
th win on the season, and she now owns a 3.23 ERA over 110.2 innings this year.
Martinez finished 1-3 with a massive two-run double and a run scored. Fernandez finished game two going 1-4 with a clutch RBI single. Garcia finished 1-3 with a single, a stolen base, and a run scored.
The Pioneers will head to Waxahachie next weekend for a 4-game Sooner Athletic Conference series against Southwestern Assemblies of God University. They will play a doubleheader both Friday and Saturday, and first pitch for game one on Friday is scheduled for 2:00 PM.
