DURANT, Okla. – The Tarleton TexAnns claimed two victories Sunday at the 2010 Lone Star Conference Crossover Tournament in Durant, Okla. The TexAnns defeated Southwestern Oklahoma (7-3) before downing Southeastern Oklahoma in the final game of the crossover (9-6).
“Our freshman catcher Tiffany Latta did a great job stepping up today for us,” Mata said. “All of our girls played big today, and we did a great job at the plate. We overcame some critical situations and walked away with two nice wins.”
Tarleton finished the tournament 3-3 as it improved to 15-17 overall.
The TexAnns will return to action this weekend in a LSC South Division series at home against Eastern New Mexico. On Friday, April 2, the two teams will play a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. before a single game on Saturday, April 3 at noon.
Tarleton 7, Southwestern Oklahoma 3
The TexAnns jumped on the board first in the top of the opening frame when Tami Sutton singled with one out. After two outs on the board, Arianna Rodriguez homered to left field to put Tarleton on top, 2-0.
SWOSU loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning and a hit-by-pitch put the Lady Bulldogs on the board. However, Tarleton pitcher Julie Norris shut down the opponent to end the inning as Tarleton led, 2-1.
In the top of the third, catcher Tiffany Latta walked to open the inning in the first start of her career. Rebecca Wessels singled on a bunt and Latta advanced to second before she advanced to third on an error. Elyse Tatum came in to pinch run for Latta. Wessels stole second before Sutton was out on a run batted in ground out that scored Tatum. Wessels moved to third on the play before Norris doubled to right to score the left fielder and give the TexAnns a 4-1 lead.
Brittany Terry opened the fourth inning with a single to the short stop deep in the hole before Amy Gabbert singled to center. Karissa Kroll then had a sacrifice bunt to move the runners. Lata then singled to center to score Terry before she stole second. Gabbert scored on an error by the catcher as she tried to catch the runner off guard at third. The throw went off the batter's bat (Wessels) to right field. Wessels then singled to left for an RBI before Sutton did the same. The TexAnns led, 7-1.
The Lady Bulldogs scored two runs on three hits and an error in the bottom of the seventh to cut the lead to four, but Norris stuck the final batter out on a called strike three to end the game and give the TexAnns the victory.
Norris improved to 10-10 on the season and pitched the complete game. The senior gave up six hits and three runs – all unearned. She struck out one and walked none while getting 15 ground outs in the win.
Tarleton 9, Southeastern Oklahoma 6
The Savage Storm jumped on the board first with two runs in the bottom of the first on a hit and three errors. The batter who recorded the hit was erased on the bases, but SOSU took a 2-0 lead.
Tarleton had one run in the top of the second inning. Rodriguez reached on a fielding error by the shortstop before Kelly reached on a throwing error by the pitcher on a sacrifice punt that moved Rodriguez to third. Kelly was caught stealing at second before Terry had a sacrifice fly to center. Tarleton trailed, 2-1.
In the top of the fourth with SOSU pitcher Ashley Smith holding a no-hitter, the TexAnns rocked out seven runs. With one out on the board, Rodriguez walked before Kelly singled through the left side. Terry doubled to right center to score Rodriguez and tie the game. Gabbert then singled to right to score Kelly while advancing on the throw. Ashlyn Aston grounded out to the pitcher before Latta singled to right to score two. Wessels then single to center. Tatum came in to pinch run for Latta and both runners advanced a base when an illegal pitch was called. Sutton then singled to score Tatum while a throwing error on the pitcher scored Wessels. Norris then doubled to score Sutton, but the TexAnn first baseman was caught trying to stretch the hit into a triple in a rundown. Tarleton led 8-3.
In the bottom of the fourth, Amanda Tanner led off the inning with a home run to cut the lead to five.
In the top of the fifth, Rodriguez walked to open the frame prior to moving over on a sacrifice bunt. Terry was then hit by a pitch and both runners moved one base on an illegal pitch. On a pop out behind the plate by Gabbert, the catcher tried to catch the runner at third, but an errant throw scored Rodriguez. Aston walked, but a strikeout ended the inning with the TexAnns leading 9-3.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Savage Storm scored two runs on two hits and an error to cut the lead to 9-5.
Norris moved to the circle in the bottom of the sixth and got the final five outs to seal the victory for the TexAnns.
Smith got the win and improved to 5-7 after pitching 5.1 innings and allowing six runs (four earned) while walking and striking out none. Norris got 1.2 innings of work in and struck out one.
