Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 Goodwell, Okla.—Not only did the Aggies earn a win against the third-ranked team in the Heartland Conference this weekend, they also took time to celebrate their two senior members of the OPSU Softball team.

Taylor Richardson (pitcher) and Laura Trehal (right fielder) were recognized by their teammates, coaches, family and fans prior to Saturday's game three against Texas A&M-International. The team was coming off a big win over the Dustdevils in game one of Friday's double-header and was looking to continue the celebration. The two seniors were sent off in style and each saw plenty of playing time over the weekend.

Richardson got the start in the circle for game one of the series and was up against some heavy hitters from TAMIU. The Dustdevils scored five runs in the first two innings of play, but the Aggies fought back and rallied for six runs of their own in the bottom of the second to take a one-run victory (6-5). Samantha Arledge came in for Richardson in the top of the third and held the Dustdevils to three hits and zero runs for the remainder of the game getting the win for OPSU. TAMIU's Mariena Gallardo took the loss giving up five hits for six runs.

Anyssa Barbosa got the first hit of the day for the Aggies as the second batter up in the bottom of the second inning of game one; she was brought home on a single by senior Trehal putting the Aggies on the board. Later in the second with bases loaded, Ashley Jarzombek was walked to first base sending Brooklyne Bolton in for run number two. Still in the second inning, Salina Galindo hit a single to right field good for two RBI to narrow the Dustdevils lead to 5-4. Jarzombek then crossed home on a single by Darcie Wilson to tie the ballgame and, with two runners on base, Madison Heathington stepped up with two outs and hit a single deep to right-center to score the winning run for the Aggies.

The Aggies made a great run in game two but fell short by two runs in the 5-7 loss. TAMIU struck first once again, scoring two runs in the top of the second; but Faith Guzman said 'not so fast' as she sent a home run to left-center scoring two runs for OPSU to things up at two apiece. The third inning followed in similar fashion as each team brought in two runs to hold a tied ballgame. For the Aggies, Madison Heathington hit a two-run single deep down the left line to even the score.

The Dustdevils continued their hitting streak by sending two runners home in the top of the fourth, but this time the Aggies failed to answer as pitcher Sarah Johnson sat down three Aggie batters in a row giving TAMIU a two-run advantage going into the fifth. Defense was the key in the fifth inning as neither team scored. TAMIU scored one run on a hit batter in the top of the sixth and Heathington came through with another big hit in the bottom of the inning, a solo homer to center field. An empty seventh inning left the score 7-5 in favor of the visiting team.

Marissa Cortez started on the rubber for OPSU in game two and was relieved by Arledge with two outs in the third inning. Arledge took the loss after giving up the tied ballgame on seven hits for three runs; she threw five strikeouts in her 4.1 innings of work. Johnson earned her ninth win of the season for the Dustdevils pitching a complete game with seven hits and six strikeouts.

Although the Aggies battled at the plate for nine hits in Saturday's game three, they were only able to bring in one run and took a 1-6 loss to TAMIU. Richardson entered the circle in game three for her final home game as an Aggie; with the help of the strong defensive play, she held the Dustdevils to two runs through three innings. A big fourth inning however, led to four TAMIU runs scored and the Aggies were in the hole 6-0 going into the fifth.

Arledge came in to pitch for OPSU in the top of the fifth and sent the first three batters back to the dugout with three straight pop-ups. With two outs in the bottom of the inning, Galindo made a smart play with a nice bunt for a hit. Wilson followed up with a single and both runners advanced on the throw with Galindo scoring on an error by third base. The sixth and seventh remained scoreless with Delainy Thompson earning the win for TAMIU; Richardson took the loss for OPSU.

Madison Heathington led the Aggies in batting averaging .556 with a total of four RBI in the series; she also led in slugging percentage at .889. The Aggies now own four wins in the Heartland Conference and an overall record of 12-33. The team will finish the regular season up on the road this week traveling to Sterling, Kan. Wednesday for a double-header against Sterling College. OPSU Softball will complete conference play this weekend in Odessa, Texas with a three-game series against the University of Texas-Permian Basin April 24-25.