Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 Goodwell, Okla.—Competing with wind and weather over a two-day Heartland Conference series, the Panhandle State softball team was swept by Texas A&M-International Friday and Saturday. The Aggies fell by scores of 12-1, 7-4 and 1-0 in the three-game stint with the Dustdevils.

The Aggies hosted a Pink Out for breast cancer awareness on Friday with a special first-pitch thrown out by a member of the Aggie Family. Krissy Perry, mother of Panhandle State softball player, Shelby Perry, tossed out the ceremonial pitch in memory of her mother who had lost the battle to breast cancer at an early age. Perry reminded everyone how important yearly screenings are for early detection and remains hopeful for the day when no one will have to suffer the loss of a loved one due to cancer.

Friday's doubleheader came with cold temperatures and wet weather, giving the pitchers plenty to contend with throughout both games. Starter Julia Ibarra worked a full seven innings in the wind and rain of game one, with TAMIU taking her for 12 hits and ten earned runs. Over 42 batters faced, the sophomore walked eight and struck out four. The Aggies' lone run came off a double by Faith Guzman in the fourth inning, sending freshman Karah Ortiz across home plate.

In game two, the rain let up, but the cold and damp conditions continued to be a factor. Freshman Emily Worley took the circle for the Aggies and went the distance, taking nine hits and five earned runs over her seven-inning stretch. The Aggies totaled eight hits in the game, but left seven on base with strong defensive play from the Dustdevils. TAMIU brought in three runners in the top of the third inning, after Worley and the Aggie defense held them scoreless through two. Senior catcher Madison Heathington hit an RBI single in the bottom of the third to give the Aggies their first run.

Both teams went scoreless through the fifth, and the Dustdevils snuck in one more run in the top of the sixth to own a 4-1 lead. Two errors in the bottom of the inning helped the Aggies even the score at 4-4. Seniors Darcie Wilson and Sarah Gregori each got on base with singles and were pushed through with consecutive errors by the Dustdevil defense. TAMIU took back all three runs in the seventh, starting with a solo homer to lead off the inning.

Worley was back on the rubber for game three on Saturday with much better conditions to work with. The freshman threw a great seven innings, walking just one batter over 28 faced and allowing one earned run on seven hits. That run came late in the sixth inning as an error loaded the bases and a sac bunt brought the runner home. It was a great defensive performance for both teams with a combined ten hits and two strikeouts on the day.

Aggie softball (11-37) takes to the road for a midweek matchup in Odessa, Texas with a 9-40 Texas-Permian Basin team on Tuesday, April 25; the DH begins at 2 p.m. The Aggies return to wrap up their 2017 season at home this weekend with conference games against Newman University April 28-29. The doubleheader on Friday will start at 2 p.m. with Saturday's season finale starting at Noon. Seniors will be recognized prior to first pitch on Saturday. Go to opsuaggies.com for links to live stats.