TYLER, Texas – West Texas A&M softball saw its postseason journey end on Friday afternoon in Tyler, Texas. The Lady Buffs fell in game two of the South Central Super Regionals to No. 3 UT Tyler by a score of 6-2.
UT Tyler scored the game's first run in the opening frame when Sam Schott doubled off the centerfield wall to put a runner in scoring position with one out. The runner came around to score when Courtney Plocheck singled up the middle to bring home the run. After the single,
Kyra Lair brought the Lady Buffs to the plate with a strikeout and a groundout. WT put a runner on base when
Ruby Salzman reached on an error, but the Patriots erased the runner when Salzman was caught stealing second.
The Patriots added to their lead in the top of the second as Audrey Escamilla worked a leadoff walk. After a sacrifice bunt, Maddie Melton belted a 3-2 pitch over the left field wall for a two-run home run. The home run forced a Lady Buff pitching change where
Emilee Wilson came into the game. Wilson's appearance lasted two batters as the Patriots placed a pair on with a single and a walk. With Wilson's departure,
Heidi Vortherms came into the game where she forced a line out to right field. On a groundball up the middle, the ball took a high hop and jumped over the glove of
Gabie McConnell to score another run. WT got one run back in the bottom of the inning when
Gabriella Valforte lined a pinch-hit home run over the left field wall.
The game went scoreless until the top of the fifth. A single from Michelle Arias placed a runner on the bases with one out. Arias moved up when Avery Farr singled to right, but
Julie Guzman cut the runner down at third. A two-out from single by Audrey Escamilla allowed Farr to round third and score as the throw to the plate was just late.
WT cut into the lead when
Brittni Rufus started the sixth inning with a walk and stole second on the first pitch of McConnell's at bat. McConnell lined a double into the gap on the next pitch, scoring Rufus from second. McConnell reached third, but the Lady Buffs couldn't bring her in. The Patriots answered right back as Arias doubled off the wall to drive in Schott.
In their final at bat,
Madison Johnson started the inning with a single off the wall, missing a home run by a few feet. After a strikeout, Guzman singled to center field, putting runners on first and second with one out. A groundout moved runners up a base, but a strikeout ended the ballgame.
The Lady Buffs end their historic season with a 50-8 record.
