Aggies Run-Rule Lions in Return to Conference Play

By: Chris Schraer, Ast. SID

Softball | 4/13/2022 6:19:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LANGSTON, Okla. - The Oklahoma Panhandle State softball team returned to action after a brief break to sweep the first two games of the series against the Langston University Lions.

A week of rest would not create any rust for the Aggie hitters as they lit up the Lion pitching in game one. Scoring nine runs on fourteen hits in the six-inning run-rule. Every Aggie would see the basepaths in the contest.

The second game of the day would prove to be no different than game one. The Aggies would continue to get runners on base and bring them around to score nearly effortlessly in the 13-4 win. Both Kinzie Jones and Kayli Grove would pass milestones for their career at Panhandle State. Jones tallied her 100th career hit as an Aggie and Grove her 100th RBI.

Game 1

Panhandle State would not start the game the way they wanted to but would generate momentum towards the end of the game. The Aggie pitching would hold off the Lions until the batters could find their groove.

Sarah Conley (9-4) tossed her first complete-game shutout of the season. Only allowing three hitters in the six-inning game while also striking out nine.

With their ace on the mound, the Aggie hitters did not have to worry in the field. The Aggies would be unable to follow up Brielee Daniell's lead-off walk to scratch one in the first. However, they would not fail to do so in the second as Phylzan "Yaya" Jones would launch an RBI double to right field to get the Aggies on the board first.

It would take a while for the Aggies to find the scoreboard again but when they did they were explosive. Jones would stay hot at the plate as she hit her third home run of the year to extend the Aggie lead. Kinzie Jones, Kayli Grove, and Kaitlyn Lord all notched consecutive hits to bring home three more.

Panhandle State would not stop there as they headed to the top of the six. Once again, Jones would lead off the inning with a hit. With the bases loaded, Haley Saur would slap a single to left field to bring home Jones. Grove would bring Daniell home with a two-out single to put the Aggies up 7-0. Lord put the nail in the coffin for the Lions with a two-RBI double to score Saur and Grove.

Game 2

Picking up right where they left off in game one, Panhandle State would score first. The Lions would answer with two runs in the bottom of the first to take their first lead of the series. However, the Aggies would not let them hold onto the lead for long and go on to score eight unanswered runs.

Kenley Yocom (7-4) would earn herself the win after throwing five complete innings for the Aggies. Striking out four Lions in that span. The Lions would generate some momentum in the bottom of the fifth to close the gap between them and the Aggies. Head Coach Marc Benjamin would look to freshman standout Rylin Baker to close out the game.

Baker would finish the game nearly flawless. Allowing only one hit in her two innings of work.

Once again the Aggie bats showed their strength despite the slow start to the series. Surpassing their hit and run total from game one by the sixth inning. Kayli Grove got the Aggies on the board first with an RBI single to right field in the first inning. Langston answered with two runs of their own in the bottom half, leaving the Aggies trailing for the first time so far in the series.

Junior right fielder Caitley Adams would refuse to trail any further as she launched her first home run of the season to tie it up in the top of the third. Not stopping there, the Aggies would score five more runs off the bats of Grove, Lord, Fowler, and Trester. Both teams' bats would quiet down for the next few innings before Tatum Trester and Phyzlan "Yaya" Jones added two more runs for the Aggies in the top of the fifth.

The Langston Lions would make a late push and score two in the bottom of the sixth but the Aggies would put the game away in the top of the seventh. Scoring four more runs off an Adams sacrifice fly, Kinzie Jones single, Kayli Grove fielder's choice, and a Kaitlyn Lord single.

Panhandle State softball returns to T.G. Green Park Thursday, April 14th at 12 PM.

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Players Mentioned

#9 Caitley Adams: OF; 5' 3"; Junior

#25 Rylin Baker: IF/P; 5' 9"; Freshman

#5 Sarah Conley: P; 5' 8"; Junior

#21 Brielee Daniell: OF; 5' 4"; Junior

#14 Kayli Grove: OF; 5' 11"; Senior

#10 Kinzie Jones: IF; 5' 10"; Senior

#8 Kaitlyn Lord: C; 5' 7"; Junior

#1 Haley Saur: IF; 5' 5"; Freshman

#15 Tatum Trester: IF; 5' 9"; Junior

#4 Kenley Yocom: P; 5' 11"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#9 Caitley Adams
: 5' 3"; Junior
: OF

#25 Rylin Baker
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: IF/P

#5 Sarah Conley
: 5' 8"; Junior
: P

#21 Brielee Daniell
: 5' 4"; Junior
: OF

#14 Kayli Grove
: 5' 11"; Senior
: OF

#10 Kinzie Jones
: 5' 10"; Senior
: IF

#8 Kaitlyn Lord
: 5' 7"; Junior
: C

#1 Haley Saur
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: IF

#15 Tatum Trester
: 5' 9"; Junior
: IF

#4 Kenley Yocom
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: P