CANYON, Texas – No. 3-ranked and top-seeded West Texas A&M softball shut out eighth-seeded St. Edward's 3-0 on Thursday night despite a two-hour weather delay. With the win, WT improves to 51-4 on the season and advances to the Lone Star Conference Tournament semifinal round.
The game started as a pitcher's duel between St. Edward's Lisette Urquidez as both pitchers threw zeroes up on the board through the first three innings. For Boyer, the junior struck out eight through the first inning while allowing just one base runner. In the bottom of the fourth inning, WT broke up the scoreless tie with three runs on one hit. After a Boyer walk started the frame,
Lily Mulder entered the game to pinch run.
Cadence Colborn wasted no time in bringing home Mulder as the freshman infielder lined a triple into the right-center gap. After a Hilltoppers' pitching change a one-out walk to
Halie Stoneking put a runner on base for the Lady Buffs followed by a stolen base by the senior outfielder. A walk to
Avery Cannon loaded the bases for WT before St. Edward's recorded its second out of the inning. With the bases loaded, back-to-back walks from
Lauren Granger and
Kiley Avery brought home a pair and extended the lead to 3-0.
As the game went into the fifth inning, Boyer continued to deal in the circle, surrendering just a fourth inning walk. In the top of the inning, St. Edward's broke up the no-hitter with a one-out single. Boyer wouldn't let the traffic on the bases last long as she forced a fly out to Stoneking in left field. On the same play, Stoneking caught the runner trying to advance to second, throwing a laser to second base for an easy tag. With two outs in the top of the sixth, the game paused for the weather delay, sending both teams to the locker room. After the delay, Boyer picked up right where she left off, retiring the Hilltoppers' hitter on three pitches.
In the top of the seventh, the Harrisburg, S.D. retired the first batter before the next hitter reached on a wild pitch. Boyer didn't let the runner impact her performance as she forced the next two hitters into routine plays.
The Lady Buffs return to Schaeffer Park tomorrow for a 5 p.m. first pitch with rival and fifth-seeded Lubbock Christian.
