Softball 3/16/2013 1:30:00 AM

TAMIU Hits Four Homers To Sweep UTPB

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ODESSA (March 16, 2013) – Four different Dustdevil players hit homeruns as TAMIU softball improved to 4-1 in conference play with a doubleheader sweep over UT Permian Basin Friday afternoon.

Kristen LaBuhn and Rochelle Nash each homered in the opener as the Dustdevils took game one 2-1 in extra innings. Cassandra DeLeon and Kyndall Reaves hit bombs in the late game as TAMIU came from behind to take game two 5-3.

TAMIU pitchers Kyndall Reaves and Salina Mitchell were stellar in the opener, combining to scatter only eight hits over nine innings. Reaves allowed only one runner to reach second base through the first five innings before Nikki Brailsford homered in the 6^th to tie the game at one. Mitchell, who improved to 4-7 with the win, held the Falcons scoreless over the final two innings, giving up only two hits with two strikeouts and a walk.

UTPB starter Desiree Valero was equally impressive retiring the first nine TAMIU batters before LaBuhn gave TAMIU its first lead of the game with a leadoff solo homerun in the 4^th. Valero continued to pitch well not allowing a TAMIU batter past second base over the next four innings. Rochelle Nash delivered her team leading sixth homer of the season in the top of the ninth to give TAMIU a 2-1 lead.

In game two the Falcons jumped on top early scoring two runs in the bottom of the first on a two-RBI single by Kati Walker. Deleon hit a solo shot in the second to pull TAMIU within one before Chelsey Morgan delivered a two-out RBI single in the bottom half of the inning to give UTPB a 3-1 lead.

TAMIU starter Mariena Gallardo then went to work, retiring the next 15 straight UTPB hitters to earn her fourth win of the season. Gallardo went seven innings allowing three runs on seven hits with two strikeouts.

Reaves added a home run in the in the 5^th to pull TAMIU within one, before the Dustdevils took the lead scoring two more in the 6^th. Sarah Johnson was plated on a throwing error by the second baseman and Reaves came through with her second RBI of the game to put TAMIU on top 4-3.

TAMIU led off the seventh with back-to-back bunt singles by Olivia Garcia and Labuhn and Garcia advanced to third on a throwing error. Nash then plated Garcia on a sac-fly to left field to give the Dustdevils an insurance run.

In the bottom half of the seventh Tomie Ellard led off with a single before Cene Padilla grounded into a 4-3 double play. Jackie Guzman grounded out to second to end the game.

Reaves and Chelsea Capello each recorded two hits in game two, with Reaves adding two RBI.

The Dustdevils and Falcons will meet Saturday at noon for the series finale.

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