Game 1  ::  Game 2

SAN ANTONIO – Under the lights at Cardinal Field, the Angelo State softball team earned a split in an evening doubleheader against Lone Star Conference foe Incarnate Word on Friday. April Breshears and DeeshanaLynn Tafiti each had a pair of RBIs to lead the No. 5 Rambelles to a 7-1 victory in Game 1, but fell in the final game, 3-2, despite a season-high 11 strikeouts from Claire Molina.
 
The Rambelle's offense managed 10 hits off LSC Preseason Pitcher of the Year Briana Sanchez in Game 1, which was highlighted by a four-run seventh inning.  
 
“We waited for some pitches in our zone, and we got a few in the seventh inning,” Angelo State head coach Travis Scott said. “Give credit to the girls. When there was a pitch to hit, they hit it hard and it found a gap.”
 
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Angelo State (28-7, 11-3 LSC) hit three consecutive doubles to stretch its lead to 7-1. DeeshanaLynn Tafiti jump started the rally with her seventh double of the season, scoring Lauren Smith and Luz'Ce Baca. Elsamartina Apo and April Breshears followed with two-baggers of their own to provide a six-run cushion for Belles' starting pitcher Mary Kate McKay.
 
“Mary Kate just continues to do her thing in the circle,” Scott said. “She locates her pitches and really worked out of a few jams (Friday).”
 
McKay went 7.0 innings allowing just one run and working around nine hits in the win. The sophomore now has 16 complete games and improved to 13-3 on the year.
 
Dominant pitching continued for ASU in Game 2 as Claire Molina recorded a season-high 11 strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work against the Cardinals. Despite her performance, UIW (20-13, 7-7 LSC) manufactured three runs (two earned) in the fourth and held on for a 3-2 victory.
 
“Claire had one of the best outings she had all season,” Scott said. “She had great command and velocity on her pitches from start to finish, and it's unfortunate she got the loss."

Angelo State jumped to a 2-0 lead after two. Lauren Smith singled in the first and then stole second to put herself into scoring position. The Waxahachie product later scored on an Incarnate error for the Belles first run. An inning later, Walters stole two bases and eventually scored for a 2-0 edge.
 
The Cardinals' bats waived at pitches in the first three innings, but rattled in the fourth. Taylor Johnson and Lea Padilla led off the inning with back-to-back singles. After an Angelo State error the bases were loaded until Shelby Waltrip hit a bases clearing double.
 
The Belles made a late run at the Cardinals in the seventh by putting runners at the corners, but the threat was ended on an infield popup.
 
The teams return to Cardinal Field for the rubber match on Saturday at noon. Live stats will be available on AngeloSports.com or follow live Twitter updates @AngeloSports.