Aggie Softball Splits Final Doubleheader with Wayland Baptist

Goodwell, OK The Oklahoma Panhandle State University softball team wrapped up a four-game series against Wayland Baptist University on Saturday by splitting the final doubleheader, falling 10-5 in the opener before responding with a dominant 6-0 shutout victory in Game 2.

Game One: Wayland Baptist 10, OPSU 5

Despite a strong start and a 12-hit performance, the Aggies couldn't hold off a steady offensive surge from Wayland Baptist in the day's first game.

OPSU jumped out early with a two-run first inning. Haeley Vasquez scored on a Melissa Carroll RBI double, and Summer Marron followed with an RBI single to plate Carroll. Trinity Higgins added another run in the second with a base hit that scored Gracie Lankford, giving the Aggies a 3-1 advantage.

However, Wayland Baptist responded with three runs in the bottom of the second and three more in the third, capitalizing on a pair of OPSU errors and timely hits to surge ahead. The Pioneers would add three more across the fourth and sixth innings to put the game out of reach.

The Aggies showed a fight in the fifth, pushing across two runs thanks to RBI contributions from Lankford and Kaylynn Du Preez, but it wasn't enough to close the gap.

Gracie Lankford led the Aggie offense with a perfect 4-for-4 game, scoring once and driving in another. Higgins and Marron each tallied two hits and an RBI. Cadence Yocom took the loss in the circle.

Game Two: OPSU 6, Wayland Baptist 0

The Aggies bounced back with a statement shutout victory in Game 2, riding a masterful complete-game performance from senior ace Marin Jacobs, who improved to 14-5 on the year. Jacobs allowed just one hit over seven innings and struck out six, completely silencing the Wayland offense.

Trinity Higgins set the tone at the top of the lineup, going a perfect 3-for-3, scoring three times, and stealing a base. Haeley Vasquez and Melissa Carroll each recorded two RBIs to pace the Aggies' run production. Marron added another RBI in the seventh to seal the win.

Panhandle's offense piled up 13 hits in the win, including multi-hit efforts from Higgins, Halle Zupan (3-for-4), and Lankford (3-for-4). The Aggies also showcased aggression on the base paths, swiping four bags.

The win marked a strong finish to the series and demonstrated the team's ability to bounce back with resilience.

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The Aggies will build on this momentum as they prepare for their next matchup against the University of Science and Arts. These games are scheduled for March 31, 2025, beginning at noon.