PLAINVIEW --- The Wayland Baptist Pioneers used strong pitching and timely hitting to sweep a doubleheader against Mid-America Christian on Friday afternoon at home. Behind complete game performances in both contests, the Pioneers secured a 4–1 win in the opener before rallying late to take game two 4–3.
Game 1: Kirby Tosses Complete Game in 4–1 Win
Wayland Baptist opened the day with a strong pitching performance from
Kynleigh Kirby, who threw a complete game to earn her sixth win of the season. Kirby allowed just one run on nine hits while walking two over seven innings.
MACU struck first with a run in the top of the opening inning, but the Pioneers quickly responded.
Kailee Sanchez led off the bottom half with a double and later scored on a fielder's choice by
Brooke McLaurin, tying the game at 1–1.
Wayland Baptist took the lead in the third inning when
Yaneli Jaramillo delivered an RBI triple to score Kirby and make it 2–1.
The Pioneers added two more runs in the fourth inning to build separation. A double by
Mikayla Carrillo drove in one run before
Berkley Bradley followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 4–1.
Offensively, Wayland recorded seven hits in the game. Bradley finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Sanchez, Carrillo, Kirby, Jaramillo, and
Brianna Cloud each contributed hits.
Kirby closed the door in the seventh inning despite a late MACU threat, stranding the tying run at the plate to secure the win.
Game 2: Sixth-Inning Rally Lifts Wayland to 4–3 Victory
The second game remained scoreless through three innings before the Evangels pushed across a run in the fourth to take a 1–0 lead.
Wayland Baptist answered in a big way in the bottom of the sixth inning. The rally began with a triple by
Mikayla Carrillo, who later scored on an RBI single from
Kynleigh Kirby to tie the game. The Pioneers continued the momentum as
Yaneli Jaramillo delivered a two-RBI triple and
Reagan Davis-Pena added an RBI single, capping a four-run frame that gave Wayland a 4–1 advantage.
MACU mounted a late comeback attempt in the seventh with a two-run home run, but
Logan Schultz held on to finish the game and secure the victory.
Schultz went the distance in the circle, pitching seven innings while allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with four walks and two strikeouts to earn her third win of the season.
The Pioneers totaled six hits in the second game, led by Carrillo who went 2-for-3, while Kirby, McLaurin, Jaramillo, and Davis-Pena each recorded key hits.
Up Next
The Pioneers will look to take the series against the Evangels on Saturday, March 14
th, when the two teams square off in another doubleheader with Game One scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM.
