COMMERCE, Texas –Freshman Gabriella Valforte drove in five runs as No. 12 West Texas A&M extended their win streak to 15 games with a 6-2 victory over No. 4 Oklahoma Christian on Friday afternoon in the winner's bracket of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional.
The Lady Buffs got off to a fast start with four runs in the bottom of the first including a 3-run home run from Valforte. Ruby Salzman opened the scoring with a laser over the left field fence for her 11th home run of the season. Erica Vessels followed that up with a walk before moving to second on a single from Alyx Cordell. Valforte was up next and sent the 1-2 offering from Kali Crandall to deep center to make it 4-0 in favor of WT.
OC cut into the lead in the top of the fourth on Lindsey Stoeckel's two-out 2-run home run to center field. WT would get their first hit since the first inning in the bottom of the fifth on a single from Salzman. Vessels reached on a fielder's choice before advancing to second on Cordell's walk. Following a pitching change and wild pitch, Valforte doubled down the right field line to restore the four-run lead, 6-2.
Emilee Wilson improved to 14-5 on the season after holding the Eagles scoreless in 3 1/3 innings of relief. Kyra Lair went 3 2/3 inning allowing two runs on four hits with five strikeouts.
