West Texas A&M University Athletics

The 2014 campaign saw the Lady Buffs re-write the program and Lone Star Conference record books as WT set seven new individual or team LSC marks along with way. Alyssa Lemos became the all-time league leader in runs scored (251) and walks (179), the 251 runs is 3rd all-time in NCAA Division II history while the senior shortstop holds the NCAA career record in walks. As a team, the Lady Buffs broke the Lone Star Conference single-season records in runs (554), doubles (133), homeruns (105) and RBI (502) while also breaking the Lone Star Conference single season record for wins with 60.

WT's 554 runs scored ranks third all-time in the NCAA record books while the 133 doubles is third all-time and the 105 homeruns is third all-time. Renee Erwin, the Daktronics Ron Lenz Player of the Year, broke the LSC record for runs scored (81) in a single season, which is fifth all-time in NCAA history, to pass Angelo State standout Morgan Spearman while also tying the league's single season record for total bases with 175 (Macy Baker, ASU '09) which ranks third all-time in NCAA history. The Lady Buffs led all of Division II softball in win-loss percentage (.896), slugging percentage (.635) and on-base percentage (.462) while ranking second in scoring (8.27) and third in home runs per game (1.57). The powerful WT offense also ranked fourth in doubles per game (1.99) and triples per game (0.4) while finishing sixth in fielding percentage (.976) and seventh in batting average (.349).

The Lady Buffs finished the season with an overall record of 60-7 as they broke the Lone Star Conference single season wins record previously held by the Midwestern State teams of 2010 and 2011 who claimed 54 victories. WT become the fourth team in NCAA history to claim a title while winning 60 games in a season, joining Cal State-Northridge (1985), Augustana (1991) and North Dakota State (2000).

Below is a game-by-game recap of the 2014 College World Series held at the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Virginia.

Game #1
May 22, 2014 - Moyer Sports Complex - Salem, Virginia
#1 West Texas A&M 8, LIU-Post 1 (Boxscore | Postgame Interview | Photo Gallery)

The top ranked Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M used a four RBI performance by junior Allie Cranfill along with a complete game effort in the circle by Rita Hokianga to claim the program's first ever victory in the NCAA Division II College World Series in an 8-1 win over the #20 Pioneers of LIU-Post at the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Virginia. WT moved to 57-7 on the season while the Pioneers fall to 50-10.

"Really impressed with how we created runs all game long, Tyler scoring on a stolen base and overthrow in the first was key to getting the energy and offense going for sure" said WT head coach Kevin Blaskowski "We've used the walk as a catalyst all season and I thought we did that well today, Allie came up with a big bases loaded hit in the fourth and Rita was strong in the circle. Now it's time to rest a little and get ready for a very good Armstrong Atlantic team tomorrow afternoon."

The Lady Buffs used their team speed on the basepaths to take the early lead as Tyler Wilkinson walked and stole second base as an errant Pioneers throw into center field allowed the junior to race to and round third base with an LIU-Post bobble in the infield scored Wilkinson for the early 1-0 lead with one out. Renee Erwin registered a walk followed by a Kaisha Dacosin RBI double to the right center field gap to give WT the early 2-0 lead.

WT's Rita Hokianga continued to roll in the circle as the junior left hander allowed her first hit of the game in the top of the fourth inning with two outs on a Alexis Gonzalez double to the left center field gap before Erwin hustled to a high popup behind second base for the third out of the inning as WT continued to lead 2-0.

The Lady Buffs broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning as they plated five runs on two hits with two Pioneer errors, the inning was highlighted by anAllie Cranfill three run double to right field with the bases loaded and two outs to score Erwin, Dacosin and Jessica Sipe as WT ran their lead to 7-0 after four complete innings of play.

The Pioneers had their first real chance to score in the top of the fifth inning as Paige Swantek singled to right center field with one out followed by a Kayla McCoy walk to put runners on first and second before Hokianga forced a popup to Alyssa Lemos at shortstop for the second out followed by a Brittany Gehle grab in foul territory behind first base to end the threat with WT leading 7-0 headed to the bottom of the fifth.

LIU-Post threatened again in the top of the sixth inning as Catherine Havens singled back to the circle to leadoff the inning followed by a wild pitch to move into scoring position, Angelo Carmine singled to left field to put runners on the corners with no outs before Hokianga registered her sixth strikeout of the game to tally the first out. Lemos snagged a line drive at shortstop for the second out of the frame followed by a single up the middle by Aly Dzierzynski to score the Pioneers first run followed by a Swantek single up the middle to load the bases with two outs, Sipe ended the inning as she fielded a slow grounder and fired across the diamond as WT took the 7-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Lady Buffs added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning as Cranfill drove in her fourth RBI of the game with one out and runner on second and third as the junior infielder layed down a bunt to score Erwin from third base before an infield popup ended the inning with WT headed to the seventh inning with the 8-1 lead.

The top of the seventh inning saw Hokianga force a groundout to Sipe at the hot corner followed by a Pioneers infield single to put a runner on first with one out, the Lady Buffs committed their first error of the game with a misplayed ground ball at second base before Lemos registered the second out with an infield fly to short followed by a flyout to Wilkinson in center field to pick up the 8-1 victory. The junior left hander moved to 26-3 on the season, giving up one run on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts in the complete game victory.
Game #2
May 23, 2014 - Moyer Sports Complex - Salem, Virginia
#1 West Texas A&M 6, #19 Armstrong Atlantic 5 (Boxscore | Postgame Interview | Photo Gallery)

West Texas A&M committed four errors and trailed 5-4 heading to the bottom of the sixth inning but senior third baseman Jessica Sipe connected on a two run single with the bases loaded and two outs to give the #1 Lady Buffs the 6-5 thrilling win over the #19 Pirates of Armstrong Atlantic State at the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Virginia. The Lady Buffs move to 58-7 overall on the season while the Pirates fall to 36-14.

"Really proud of our kids for not giving up when we obviously didn't play well today, Jessica really showed her senior leadership in the sixth to fight off a great inside pitch to drive it down the line. Give credit to Armstrong, they're a great team that can swing it and their pitcher was solid in the circle" said WT head coach Kevin Blaskowski "Now we get the advantage of having an off-day tomorrow and we get to come back and stay on the winners side of the bracket with someone having to beat us twice on Sunday."

The Pirates wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning as Alexis Mercer connected on her 24^th long ball of the season on an 0-1 offering to deep right center field to leadoff the inning, Armstrong wasn't done yet as they put runners on the corners with no outs before Hannah Newcomb registered the first out of the game via the strikeout. The Pirates drove in another run with a Hannah Reppert groundout to Jessica Sipe at the hot corner for the second out before Brittany Gehleended the inning on a grounder to second as Armstrong took the 2-0 lead.

Alyssa Lemos and Tyler Wilkinson made up for early errors in the field as they both reached base to start the bottom of the first inning before Renee Erwin gave the Lady Buffs the lead with a three run blast down the right field line the opposite way to give WT the 3-2 lead with no outs. WT loaded the bases with three straight walks to Allie Cranfill, Mallory Wyatt and Lacey Taylor with two outs before Armstrong made a diving stop in the hole between first and second to end the inning with the Lady Buffs leading 3-2. Erwin's dinger gave the junior outfielder her 81^st run scored of the season to set a new single season Lone Star Conference record to pass ASU's Morgan Spearman who set the new record earlier this season.

Armstrong threatened in the top of the third inning as a leadoff single followed by a single and a WT error to put runners on second and third with one out to knock Newcomb out of the game, Rita Hokianga entered from the bullpen and forced an RBI groundout to Gehle at second base by Reppert to tie the game at 3-3 followed by a hit-by-pitch to put runners on first and second with two outs before a flyout to Wilkinson in center ended the inning with the teams tied at 3-3.

The Lady Buffs wasted no time re-taking the lead as Sipe reached first via a Pirates error in the outfield to leadoff the inning followed by a strikeout and a Wyatt double down the right field line to put runners on second and third with one out, Taylor gave WT the lead with an RBI groundout to the bag at first base as Sipe scored from third to move the score to 4-3 in favor of the Lady Buffs.

The Pirates retook the lead in the top of the fourth inning as the defensive miscues continued for the Lady Buffs as an infield error, WT's fourth of the game, with one out put a runner on first base for Mercer who connected on her second long ball of the game to run the Armstrong lead to 5-4. Hokianga forced a groundout to Sipe at the hot corner for the second out of the inning before a wild pitch on a strikeout allowed the Pirates a runner on first base followed by a double to the left center field gap to move runners to second and third before a flyout to Erwin in right ended the frame with Armstrong leading 5-4.

The top of the fifth saw the Sipe make a sliding play in foul territory on a popup for the first out before Haley Ellis doubled to the left center field wall followed by a flyout to center that moved the runner to third base with two outs before Hokianga forced a groundout to second base with Armstrong continuing to lead 5-4. The top of the sixth inning saw the Pirates threaten again as WT pitched around Mercer in the leadoff spot followed by a sacrifice bunt attempt that was popped up to Cranfill at first base followed by Hokianga's third strikeout of the game for the second out, Mercer stole second base on a 0-1 count before Andrea Dalton popped up to Gehle at second base to end the inning as Armstrong took the 5-4 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning.

The bottom of the sixth inning saw Gehle lace a line drive to the right center field gap as the Pirates were unable to come up with the catch, Lemos grounded out to the circle to move Gehle into scoring position with one out before a Wilkinson single to right field put runners on the corners with just one out. Erwin drew her third walk of the game to load the bases followed by a big AASU strikeout by Ollivia McLemore before Sipe came up with the big hit as the senior looped a ball over the third baseman's head that just stayed fair to drive in a pair of runs to give the Lady Buffs the 6-5 lead headed to the seventh inning.

The top of the seventh inning saw the Pirates launch the first pitch of the frame deep to center field as Wilkinson made the grab at the wall in left center followed by Hokianga registering her fourth strikeout of the game for the second out, the junior lefty walked Ellis who doubled earlier in the game to bring her sister Heather Ellis to the plate as the sophomore struck out swinging to end the game as WT took the 6-5 win.

Game #3
May 25, 2014 - Moyer Sports Complex - Salem, Virginia
#1 West Texas A&M 2, #15 Dixie State 1 (Boxscore | Postgame Interview | Photo Gallery)

The top ranked Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M found themselves down a run headed to the bottom of the fifth inning but the disciplined WT offense drove in a pair of runs with the bases loaded while junior left hander Rita Hokianga tossed a gem in the circle as the Lady Buffs topped #15 Dixie State, 2-1 at the Moyer Sports Complex to advance to the 2014 NCAA DII National Championship Game. The Lady Buffs move to 59-7 on the year while the Red Storm end their season at 51-10.

"I though today was a classic pitcher's duel, we really dug down and had the good part of our lineup in the fifth and these kids just find a way to win no matter the situation. The opportunity that lies before us is to play for the National Championship and we're one of two teams in DII Softball that get the chance to say that" said WT head coach Kevin Blaskowski "I've been doing this for 23 years and this is my first time, I wouldn't want to go into battle with any other group of young ladies. Valdosta State is a great team and we know that it's going to be a battle when we step between the lines tomorrow afternoon, but that's what you expect in the national title game."

The opening few innings turned into a pitcher's duel as both team managed just one base hit during the first three frames as WT's Lacey Taylor layed down a bunt single in front of the dish with one out and moved to second on a Brittany Gehle sacrifice bunt to become the first base runners for either team to move into scoring position, the inning would end with a grab in right center field on a liner by Alyssa Lemos as the teams remained tied 0-0 headed to the fourth.

Rita Hokianga continued to roll as she set the Red Storm down in order in the top of the fourth inning before the Lady Buffs threatened in the home half of the frame. Tyler Wilkinson registered a leadoff walk with a full count followed by Renee Erwin being hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with no outs, Dixie forced a popup to left field for the first out followed by a Jessica Sipe flyout to deep left as the runners advanced to second and third. Allie Cranfill walked on a 3-1 offering to load the bases with two outs before Dixie ended the inning with a strikeout to send the teams to the fifth still tied at 0-0.

The Red Storm threatened the top of the fifth inning as Mattie Snow registered her second hit of the day with one out with a grounder thru the left side, Hokianga responded as she forced a popup to Gehle in shallow right field before Dixie plated their first run of the game with a single to Lemos at short before an errant throw to first followed by a misplayed ball at the plate let the Red Storm take the 1-0 lead to the bottom of the fifth inning.

The home half of the fifth saw Taylor register a leadoff walk followed by a flyout and a Lemos single to left center to put runners on first and second with just one out, Wilkinson tallied a bloop single over the head of Dixie State shortstop Josey Hartman to load the bases with one out before Erwin drove in a run with another hit by pitch to make it 1-1 with one out. Dacosin gave WT the lead with a bases loaded walk on a full count offering by Red Storm pitcher Aryn Feickert before Dixie State registered two strikeouts to end the inning as the Lady Buffs took the 2-1 lead into the sixth inning.

Hokianga continued her run thru the potent Red Storm batting order as the junior left hander sat Dixie State down in order in the top of the sixth inning with a groundout and a pair of flyouts, the Lady Buffs failed to add to their lead in the home half of the frame as Dixie State sat WT down in order as the head headed to the seventh inning.

The top of the seventh saw Lemos made a great play in shallow left field for the first out followed by a Red Storm single to left field, Snow continued to stay hot at the plate with her third hit of the game thru the left side to put runners on first and second with one out. Gehle made a Top-10 diving catch on a blooper behind second base for the second out followed by a walk to load the bases on a 3-1 Hokianga offering before a flyout to Wilkinson in center field on a 3-1 count ended the game with WT moving onto the NCAA DII National Title game with the 2-1 win.

Game #4
May 26, 2014 - Moyer Sports Complex - Salem, Virginia
#1 West Texas A&M 3, #16 Valdosta State 2 (Boxscore | Postgame Interview | Photo Gallery)

The 2014 NCAA Division II Softball National Championship game was billed as a battle of two of the best offensive teams in the nation, but the two student-athletes in the circle had other plans as Monday's contest turned into a pitcher's duel before WT's Brittany Gehle registered her first hit of the weekend on a three run blast to left field with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to give the #1 Lady Buffs the first National Championship in program history as they topped the #16 Blazers of Valdosta State, 3-2 at the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Virginia. WT ends its dream season at 60-7 while the Blazers end their campaign at 47-15.

The title marks just the fourth National Championship in West Texas A&M's NCAA history as the Lady Buff Volleyball team captured titles in 1990, 1991 and 1997. It also marks the first softball national championship for the Lone Star Conference since the Belles of Angelo State claimed the crown back in 2004. The Lady Buffs become the fourth team in NCAA history to claim a title while winning 60 games in a season, joining Cal State-Northridge (1985), Augustana (1991) and North Dakota State (2000).

The opening inning saw the Lady Buffs register the game's first base runner as Renee Erwin registered a full count walk with two outs in the top of the first inning but a popup ended the threat, WT's Rita Hokianga continued her hot streak in the circle during the bottom half of the inning as the junior lefty forced a popup to right field followed by a pair of strikeouts to send the teams to the second inning tied at 0-0.

The top of the second inning saw Jessica Sipe register a leadoff walk on four straight pitches before the Blazers tallied the first out of the inning via the strikeout,Mallory Wyatt flew out to the foul line in shallow right field for the second out followed by VSU's third strikeout of the game to end the top of the seventh with the teams tied at 0-0. The home half of the inning started off with Erwin making a running grap in the right center field gap for the first out followed by another flyout to right, Sipe ended the inning as she fielded a grounder at the hot corner and fired across the diamond to head to the third inning.

The next few innings continued to be a pitcher's duel as both arms carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning as a Hannah Strickland infield single to Alyssa Lemos at shortstop ended Hokianga's perfect game and no hitter as the Blazers put runners on the corners with two outs before the junior lefty registered her sixth strikeout of the game to end the threat. The top of the sixth inning saw Erwin break up VSU's Brianna Hancock's no-no with a single to left center with two outs before Erwin stole second to move into scoring position but a flyout to right followed as the teams headed to the bottom of the sixth tied at 0-0.

The bottom of the sixth inning saw the Blazers register the first extra-base hit of the game as Shelby Altman doubled to center field with two outs followed by a walk on a 3-1 Hokianga offering to put runners on first and second, the New Zealand native got out of the frame as she forced a popup to Sipe in the infield to send the teams to the seventh inning tied at 0-0.

Heading to the seventh inning, Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" played throughout the Moyer Sports Complex as the large WT following sang along and cheered on the Lady Buffs, the top of the seventh inning saw Sipe show her senior leadership once again as the Phoenix native lined a stand-up double off of the right center field wall to leadoff the inning. Valdosta forced an infield popup for the first out followed by a popup in foul territory in front of the first base dugout before Taylor registered a walk to put runners on first and second with two outs, Brittany Gehle gave the Lady Buffs the 3-0 lead on a three run blast to left field on a 1-0 offering to head to the bottom of the seventh inning just three outs away from a title.

The Blazers wouldn't go down without as fight as WT registered the first two outs of the frame as Valdosta State hit back-to-back solo homeruns to cut the lead to 3-2, Hokianga wouldn't be denied as the junior left hander ran her game strikeout total to eight as VSU's April Collins was called out looking to end the game and give WT the National Championship, 3-2. Hokianga moved to 29-3 on the season, giving up two runs on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts in the complete game victory as she picked-up All-Tournament Team accolades while being named the Championship's MVP.