TUCSON, Ariz. – West Texas A&M softball recorded a pair of victories on Saturday at the Cactus Classic as the Lady Buffs defeated Western Oregon, 10-7, and Fort Lewis, 4-1, on day three of tournament action in Tucson.  With their third straight victory, the Lady Buffs move to 7-4 on the season.
 
THE BASICS
Game 1 Score:  West Texas A&M 10, Western Oregon 7
Records: West Texas A&M (6-4), Western Oregon (6-4)
Location: Lincoln Park in Tucson, Ariz.
 
Western Oregon opened scoring in the top of the first as a single down the right field line put the Wolves ahead, 1-0.  The Lady Buffs responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning.  Sydney Greeson landed on base with a single through the left side to put a runner in scoring position.  Pinch runner Marley Basturo dashed around the bases from a single by Steph Elliott to score from second to even the score.  With a two-run RBI double to right center by Brittany Cruz the Lady Buffs would take the lead and never look back. A fielder's choice would add another run for WT to extend their lead, 4-1.
 
Nicole Miller tallied an RBI single for the Wolves to bring the score within two before the Lady Buffs added three runs to lead, 7-2, with singles by Julia Guzman and Alyx Cordell in the fourth.
 
WOU would bring in another two runs to cut the Lady Buffs lead to three but the comeback was short lived when Ruby Salzman took a 2-2 pitch deep into left field for her second home run of the season.  Malaya Delfin would come across the plate on an RBI single by Guzman for WT to lead 9-4 but the Wolves would not go down easily as WOU brought in another two runs with a triple in the sixth. 
 
WT would get a run back as Salzman singled to score pinch runner Makenzee Atchley from second to make it 10-6.  The Wolves would fight to the end with a two out single to bring in a run but a fly ball would secure the Lady Buffs victory.
 
Kyra Lair (6-2) recorded the victory on the mound as the Canyon native allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits with five walks and two strikeouts.
 
THE BASICS
Game 2 Score:  West Texas A&M 4, Fort Lewis 1
Records: West Texas A&M (7-4), Fort Lewis (3-6)
Location: Lincoln Park in Tucson, Ariz.
 
For the second time of the day the Lady Buffs fell behind early as the Skyhawks led off with a solo home run by junior Kylie Hefley.  WT answered in the second with three runs to take a 3-1 lead.  A fielding error put Steph Elliott on first before Brittany Cruz stepped up with a double into left center.  Ruby Salzman connected with the first pitch she saw to send the ball deep and over into left to score the runs.  The Lady Buffs would score another run after a dropped ball at first base to extend their lead, 4-1.
 
FLC looked to respond in the fourth as the Skyhawks recorded a leadoff single before Kyra Lair forced a double play up the middle.  A ground ball to the mound would end the threat.
 
Kyra Lair (7-2) picked up the win with her fifth complete game of the season allowing only one run (earned run) on two hits with two walks and four strikeouts. 
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Buffs will close their time in Tucson tomorrow, Feb. 16, as they face Southern Nazarene at 1:30 p.m. CT tomorrow, Feb. 16, before a matchup against Simon Fraser at 4 p.m. CT.