CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M softball team closed out the 2023 WT Invitational with a 4-0 victory over New Mexico Highlands. The 5-0 weekend moved the Lady Buffs record to 9-0 on the season.
 
WT, acting as the visitors, started the game with a ground out and a pop out, bringing up Emilee Boyer. Boyer reached on a single to the shortstop, advancing to second on Diana Murtha's walk. Gabriella Valforte brought in the game's first run as the junior first baseman singled to right center, scoring Boyer from second. NMHU escaped the inning on the next batter on a fielder's choice.
 
The Lady Buffs added to their lead in the top of the second inning after Julie Guzman started the inning with a double. Ruby Moore brought Guzman around on a triple into the right field corner. On the next batter, Madison Johnson grounded out to the pitcher to score Moore.
 
The game went scoreless until the top of the seventh inning when Moore singled to lead off the inning. Johnson pushed the freshman into scoring position with a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt. Ruby Salzman wasted no time bringing in Moore, doubling into the left-center gap on the first pitch she saw. Immediately after the RBI double, the Cowgirls retired the Lady Buff side on a lineout double play.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Heidi Vortherms forced a groundout out of the NMHU lineup before a hitter reached on an error. After a fielder's choice, Vortherms struck out the next hitter and ended the game. In the circle, the sophomore allowed just three hits with 11 strikeouts and no walks.
 
WT starts their Lone Star Conference schedule on Friday with a 5 p.m. game against No. 18 Angelo State. The Lady Buffs and Rambelles wrap up the three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m.