WBU Offense Erupts in Midweek Sweep of Southwest (NM)

PLAINVIEW --- The Wayland Baptist softball team picked up a dominant doubleheader sweep over University of the Southwest (NM) on Wednesday afternoon in Plainview, defeating the Mustangs 9-1 in five innings in Game 1 and 14-7 in Game 2. The victories improved the Pioneers' record to 13-3 on the season, their best start to a season in program history.
 
Game 1: Wayland Baptist 9, Southwest 1 (5 innings)

Wayland Baptist used a big fourth inning and a strong pitching performance to secure a run-rule victory in the opener.

The Mustangs struck first with a run in the top of the first inning, but the Pioneers quickly responded. Kynleigh Kirby singled and later scored on an RBI single from Berkley Bradley, tying the game at 1-1 after the first inning.

The game remained even until the fourth inning when the Wayland offense exploded. The Pioneers plated seven runs on six hits in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single from Brooke McLaurin, a two-run double by Berkley Bradley, and an RBI single from Kailee Sanchez to break the game open.

Wayland added another run in the fifth inning when Mikayla Carrillo scored on a play that extended Kirby to third, giving the Pioneers the run-rule victory.

Kirby also delivered in the circle, throwing a complete-game five-hitter while allowing just one run and striking out one to improve to 5-0 on the season.

Offensively, the Pioneers totaled 13 hits. Bradley led the way with two hits and three RBIs, while McLaurin and Sanchez each drove in two runs. Carrillo, Kirby, Carlo, and Ivins all added hits as Wayland controlled the game from start to finish.
 

Game 2: Wayland Baptist 14, Southwest 7

The second game featured another strong offensive performance from the Pioneers, who collected 19 hits in the victory.

The Mustangs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but Wayland answered immediately in the bottom of the first inning when Mikayla Carrillo launched a two-run home run after a double by Reagan Davis-Pena, cutting the deficit to one run.

The Mustangs added three more runs in the third inning to make it 6-2, but the Pioneers responded with a massive rally. Wayland scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning, highlighted by RBI doubles from Kynleigh Kirby, Brooke McLaurin, and Mikenzi Carlo, along with a run-scoring single from Yaneli Jaramillo to take a 7-6 lead.

The Pioneers continued to build their advantage in the fourth and fifth innings. McLaurin delivered a two-run triple, while Bradley added a sacrifice fly to extend the lead. Later, Bradley and McLaurin each drove in runs as Wayland pushed the margin to 12-6.

In the sixth inning, Mia Gray put the finishing touches on the win with a two-run home run, giving the Pioneers a commanding seven-run lead.

Logan Schultz earned the win in relief, allowing just one hit and one unearned run over four innings while striking out four to improve to 2-0 on the year.

Wayland's offense was led by several standout performances. Carrillo went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, a home run, and two RBIs, while Kirby finished 4-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. McLaurin added two hits and four RBIs, and Carlo recorded two hits and two RBIs. Sanchez and Jaramillo also contributed multi-hit games as the Pioneers' lineup produced throughout the contest.
 
Up Next

The Pioneers will hit the road for one of their toughest tests of the season when they take on the #3 Oklahoma City Stars in a four-game series in Oklahoma City. The two teams will open the series with a doubleheader on Friday, March 6^th, with Game One beginning at 2:00 PM.