Game 1 Final Stats (.pdf) | Game 2 Final Stats (.pdf)

SAN ANTONIO – Sophomore Kacie Easley belted two home runs, including a grand slam, and recorded five RBIs to lead the No. 8 Angelo State softball team to a pair of wins at the St. Mary's Tournament in San Antonio Saturday. The first was a 4-3 win over Cameron followed by a 4-2 victory against Texas A&M-International.

Early game jitters put the Rambelles (2-0) in a quick hole, giving up a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning to open the 2011 season against Cameron (0-2). However, the nationally-ranked squad preserved and proceeded to throw six-consecutive shutout innings against the Aggies.

The power of the 'Belles' lineup was felt in the top of the sixth inning, which started with an Amanda Wilhelm lead-off single. After a fly out to center, two-time all-american Kaycee Taylor stepped into the batter's box, while Alix Dean, another two-time honoree, lurked on deck. Cameron head coach Beth Watson crunched the numbers and pitched around the ASU duo that combined for 55-extra base hits a year ago.

After a strikeout, Angelo State had the bases loaded with two outs and was still trailing by three (3-0). Easley then stepped up to the plate and hit a towering grand slam over the left-field fence to put ASU on top, 4-3. After gaining the lead, the 'Belles retired the last six batters to close the game.

“We fell in a hole early, but really rebounded,” said Angelo State head coach Travis Scott. “It was a great team win and an excellent way to start off the season.”

Claire Molina picked up the win for Angelo State, going 4.0 innings without allowing a hit.

The 'Belles returned to the diamond for their 4 p.m., game against Texas A&M-International (2-2) and once again sputtered in the opening frame. ASU right-handed pitcher Jessica Newsome gave up two runs on four hits in the first, but freshman Mary Kate McKay came in and threw 5.1 scoreless innings for the 'Belles.

Angelo State was down 2-0 entering the sixth, but that changed in a hurry. Easley led off the frame hitting another souvenir ball over the left-field fence.

“This was a bomb to left center,” said Scott. “She really stepped up big for us today.”

After Elsamartina Apo reached on an error, DeeshanaLynn Tafiti hit a line-drive home run to put Angelo State on top, 3-2. ASU would tack on an insurance run in the seventh to secure a 4-2 win.

Angelo State outhit the Dustdevils, 11-6, with Apo, Easley and Tafiti all having multi-hit games. In the circle, McKay picked up the win, while Molina came in to record her first save of the year.

The St. Mary's Tournament continues, as the Rambelles play Sunday at noon for a match-up against Texas-Permian Basin followed by a game against Southeastern Oklahoma at 2 p.m., in San Antonio.

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