CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M softball team advanced to the winner's bracket of the South Central Regional tournament with an 11-5 victory over Cameron. With the win, the Lady Buffs advanced their record to 48-6 on the season.

Gabie McConnell kick started her phenomenal afternoon with a double off the center field wall. The Aggies looked to have escaped the jam without allowing a run until Diana Murtha walked with two outs. After being lifted for pinch runner Ruby Moore, Moore stole second to put runners on second and third. Madison Johnson made the most of the opportunity, driving in both runners with a double.
 
WT added to its lead an inning later when Julie Guzman started the inning with a triple into the left-center field. A couple pitches later, Lauren Granger laced a single to center to bring in another run. Cameron cut into the Lady Buff lead in the top of the third when Josie Swafford grounded out to shortstop, bringing in the Aggies' first run of the afternoon. After a WT pitching change, an RBI single from Karis Clark brought the game within one.
 
The Lady Buffs pushed their advantage back to two runs when Ruby Salzman launched a home run to left field. The 4-2 score line held up until the bottom of the fifth when WT broke the game open.
 
In the home half of the fifth, a Brittni Rufus triple followed by back-to-back RBI doubles from McConnell and Salzman plated two more runs. The three-consecutive hits forced an Aggie pitching change. The change produced two outs for Cameron before an RBI single from Madison Johnson pushed the lead to 7-2. Gabriella Valforte added an RBI single of her own to bring home another run.
 
The Aggies didn't go down without a fight as they cut the WT lead down to three in the sixth inning. After a Lady Buff error put the leadoff hitter on base, Taylor Rowley connected with a home run to left. After a groundout, Kaiden Boren matched Rowley with a solo shot. The home runs forced a pitching change, bringing Heidi Vortherms out of the bull pen for WT. Vortherms came in and held the Aggies off the score board for the remainder of the frame.
 
In the half of the inning, the Lady Buffs continued their hot streak at the plate when Rufus singled to center field with one out. Another double from McConnell allowed Rufus to race around the bases to score another WT run. After a flyout, a single from Emilee Boyer brought home McConnell. Johnson capped off the scoring when the junior doubled off the left field wall, plating the Lady Buffs' 11^th run of the game.
 
WT advances to the winner's bracket of the tournament and will play the winner of Colorado Christian and St. Mary's at 12 p.m. at Schaeffer Park.