No. 12 Lady Buffs Use Extra Innings to Down No. 16 Lady Chaps
 
LUBBOCK, Texas – The West Texas A&M softball team plated three runs in the top of the 11^th inning to boost the Lady Buffs to an 8-5 victory over the Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps. With the sweep, WT moved to 43-5 on the season and 34-5 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
Lubbock Christian struck first with a run in the opening inning. The Lady Chaps took advantage of back-to-back infield singles before a fielder's choice put runners on the corners. With two strikes, Kasey Flores lifted a sacrifice fly to Julie Guzman in right field. WT escaped the inning when Shyanne Sanchez cut down the runner trying to steal second.
 
After a scoreless second inning, the Lady Buffs tied the game in the top of the third. With one out, Brittni Rufus pulled a ball over first base and into the right field corner. Rufus used her speed to race around the bases and score easily. In the bottom half of the inning, the Lady Chaps regained the lead as a pair of singles put runners on. After a walk loaded the bases, Skylar Herrera hit a grand slam to give LCU a four-run lead.
 
In the fifth inning, WT strung together a two-out rally after Guzman doubled to start the inning. Gabie McConnell brought home Guzman when the freshman sent a ball right back up the middle for an RBI single. Immediately after, Ruby Salzman forced an errant throw by the LCU shortstop, advancing to second and pushing McConnell to third. The Lady Buffs capitalized on the error when McConnell came home on a wild pitch.
 
WT erased the two-run deficit in the top of the seventh when Rufus singled with one out. The Lady Chaps looked to turn a double play and end the game, but McConnell beat the throw to first, keeping the Lady Buffs alive. On the first pitch of her at bat, Salzman launched a home run to do dead center field. The home run was the 64^th in Salzman's career and places her in a tie with Kylee Moore for second in program history.
 
The Lady Buffs did their damage in the top of the 11^th when Ruby Moore walked to start the inning. Guzman followed with a bunt single to put two on with no outs. Sanchez laid down a bunt as well, but LCU chose to try and retire Moore at third. The throw to third went wide, allowing Moore to score and give WT the lead. Salzman came up big for the Lady Buffs once again, doubling down the line to bring in two more runs.
 
Emilee Wilson pitched a gem while coming out of the bullpen for WT. The senior recorded the win while throwing 7.2 scoreless innings, striking out four and walking two.
 
WT returns to Schaeffer Park on Friday, April 28 where the Lady Buffs welcome Cameron for a 6 p.m. matchup. On Saturday, WT celebrates Senior Day with a 1 and 3 p.m. doubleheader with the Aggies.