LUBBOCK, Texas – West Texas A&M hit three home runs including a grand slam from junior Alyx Cordell in a 12-2 victory over UC-Colorado Springs as the Lady Buffs went 1-1 during the first day of the LCU Invitational at Plainscapital Park in Lubbock, Texas. After falling to host Lubbock Christian, 8-7, in the first game, WT's bats came alive in their win over UCCS to snap a four-game losing streak.
The Lady Buffs finish the four team tournament with games against the Mountain Lions at 3:00 p.m. followed by a rematch with the Lady Chaps at 5:00 p.m.
THE BASICS
Game 1 Score: Lubbock Christian 8, West Texas A&M 7
Records: Lubbock Christian (5-1) West Texas A&M (3-4)
Location: Lubbock, Texas
The Lady Buffs were unable to take advantage of the bases loaded in the top of the first inning before LCU scored two runs on Megan Darling double to left field with two outs in the bottom half of the inning. WT responded in the top of the second with a pair of runs to tie the game at 2-all. Brittany Cruz reached on an error before advancing to second on a wild pitch followed by a single by Cordell. Shayne Starkey would ground out to second to plate Cruz while Cordell advance to second. Kourtney Coveney would single to left center on the next pitch for his first RBI of the game.
Starkey got herself out of a jam with in the third inning an inning ending double play after the Lady Chaps had loaded the bases with one out. The senior would then inflict damage to LCU at the plate as the senior connected on her first home run of the season on a two-run shot to give WT their first lead of the game in the top of the fourth inning. Kylee Moore would add another in the inning as Ruby Salzman came around to score.
LCU stormed back in the bottom of the sixth scoring four runs to take a 6-5 lead as the first six batters reached base including doubles from Savannah Wysocki and K'Leigh Arredondo. WT retook the lead in the top of the seventh with a two-run home run from Amelya Huggins. After Salzman flied out to lead off the inning, Moore walked on five pitches followed the freshman's first career home run to give the Lady Buffs a 7-6 advantage. The Lady Chaps would plate two in the bottom half of the inning to hand WT their third walk-off loss of the season.
Coveney (0-3) went 1 2/3 innings in the loss allowing two runs (zero earned) on three hits and a walk. Starkey went 5 innings in the her third start of the season allowing six runs (six earned) on 10 hits with four strikeouts and five walks.
THE BASICS
Game 2 Score: West Texas A&M 12, UC-Colorado Springs 4
Records: West Texas A&M (4-4), UC-Colorado Springs (2-3)
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Cruz opened the scoring the Lady Buffs in the top of the first inning with a bases loaded walk to plate Coveney. UCCS would respond with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning on a Rayle Glover double to left center. WT would plate three in the top of the second to take a 4-1 lead thanks in large part to Salzman's two-run home run. Cordell reached base on a four-pitch walk before advancing to second as Starkey reached on a fielder's choice. They would both advance a base on wild pitch before Coveney's hit to left was deep to score Cordell on a sac fly. Starkey would reach third on a wild pitch but it did not matter as Salman sent a 3-2 pitch over the fence in center field for her second of the season.
They would add to their lead in the top of the fourth on Cordell's first career grand slam making it 8-2. Huggins reached base with a leadoff walk followed by a fly out to center by Cruz. Erica Vessels and Brittny Gonzlalez hit back-to-back singles before Cordell sent a rocket over the center fielder's head for the 64th grand slam in program history.
After making it 9-2 in the top of the fifth on a RBI single from Cruz, the Lady Buffs would add three more runs in the top of the fifth inning to reach double figures for the second time this season. Starkey reached on an error by the second baseman followed by a single thru the right side by Coveney. Salzman reached base as Starkey was called out at third on the fielder's choice before Moore sent one high and deep over the fence in left to make it 12-2. The Mountain Lions would get two runs back in the bottom half of the inning but it was not enough as WT snapped a four-game losing streak.
Kyra Lair (3-0) picked up the win allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits with a strikeout and two walks as she went the distance for the first time in her career.
