PLAINVIEW --- Wayland Baptist Softball opened its home doubleheader against Tabor on Friday afternoon in Plainview with a strong offensive showing and a complete team performance, earning a 9–4 victory in the opener before coming up just short in a tightly contested 6–5 loss in Game Two.
Game One: Wayland Baptist 9, Tabor 4
The Pioneers set the tone early in the opener, jumping out to a 2–0 lead in the bottom of the first inning behind an RBI double from
Mikayla Carrillo and aggressive baserunning that pressured the Tabor defense. Wayland Baptist added to its lead in the middle innings and pulled away with a four-run fifth and a three-run sixth to secure the win.
Carrillo led the offensive attack, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while
Kynleigh Kirby also had a strong all-around performance, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, RBI, walk, and a run scored.
Kailee Sanchez continued her hot stretch at the plate, driving in three runs on a 3-for-4 day, and
Sofia Romero added three hits and two RBIs.
In the circle, Kirby earned her first win of the season, working 6.2 innings and striking out seven. She limited Tabor to four runs, only two of which were earned, and kept the Pioneers in control throughout the contest.
Erin Trevino came on and secured the final out to seal the victory.
Wayland Baptist finished the opener with 13 hits and took advantage of Tabor's defensive miscues, turning steady pressure into key runs.
Game Two: Tabor 6, Wayland Baptist 5
The nightcap proved to be a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading momentum in a game that came down to the final inning. Wayland Baptist struck first in the second inning on an unearned run and tied the game in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by
Berkley Bradley.
Tabor responded with a three-run fifth inning to take control, and later added a solo home run in the seventh to extend its lead to 6–2. Despite trailing late, the Pioneers refused to go quietly.
In the bottom of the seventh, Wayland Baptist mounted a rally. Kirby delivered an RBI single, followed by a run-scoring hit from
Brooke McLaurin. Bradley then added another RBI single to pull the Pioneers within one run and bring the tying run to second base. However, Tabor was able to close out the game and secure the 6-5 win.
Kirby led Wayland Baptist offensively in Game Two, scoring twice and driving in a run, while Carrillo went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. Bradley finished with two RBIs, and the Pioneers collected 10 hits in the contest.
In the circle,
Brooklyn Ray worked five innings, striking out six, before
Isabella Penk provided two solid innings of relief.
Up Next
The Pioneers will conclude their four-game set against Tabor with another doubleheader on Saturday, February 14
th. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM.
