Softball Team Takes 2^nd At Angelo State Tourney

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Scheduled to compete in five tournaments this season, the USAO softball team got off to a good start with a second-place finish last weekend in the Angelo State Classic. The Drovers went 3-2 in the two-day event, including a win over host-team Angelo State, the defending NCAA Division II national champion.

On Friday, USAO easily beat Eastern New Mexico 14-0 in five innings, lost 1-0 to Washburn, Kan., and followed with an 8-3 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State. The Drovers beat Angelo State 8-1 in their first game Saturday to advance to the championship game, in which they suffered another 1-0 loss to Washburn.

Currently, USAO is 3-2 on the season, with two doubleheaders scheduled next week. The Drovers are in Fort Worth, Texas, on Feb. 15 for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Texas Wesleyan, followed by a 2 p.m. twin bill Feb. 17 at East Central in Ada. USAO’s home opener is March 1 against Oklahoma City in a conference doubleheader.

Washburn, Kan. 1, USAO 0

In a closely played game, USAO collected twice as many hits as Washburn but couldn’t turn them into runs in a 1-0 loss for the Angelo State Classic championship. Washburn scored its only run in the first inning on a sacrifice bunt.

USAO had its best opportunity to score in the third inning, as the Drovers had sophomore Morgan Skelley on second base and junior Dana Askins at third after a double steal. Freshman Tanna Truelove followed with a walk, leaving USAO with the bases loaded. But, senior Crystal Judkins grounded out to second to end the inning.

Askins went 2-for-3 with a stolen base to lead USAO at the plate. Junior Nikki Aguilar, Skelley and junior Stephanie Hey combined for the Drovers’ other three hits in the game. Junior Kindra Gregory allowed one run and one hit in three innings for the loss. Junior Amanda Cotton retired both batters she faced in the fourth inning, and Askins finished the game by recording a strikeout and allowing a hit in 2 1/3 innings.

USAO 4, Angelo State 1

After allowing a run in the top of the third, USAO came back with two runs in the fourth and two in the sixth for a 4-1 win over the host-team, Angelo State. Senior Alana Hare led off the Drovers’ fourth with a single, while she and Askins scored after Askins reached on an error by the pitcher.

Hare also started USAO’s sixth-inning rally by reaching on an error, followed by a walk for Truelove. After a groundout by Askins moved the runners to second and third, Skelley reached on an error by the center fielder to score Hare and Truelove. Hare went 2-for-3 with two runs scored to pace the Drovers.

Askins allowed three hits and struck out four in four innings to pick up the win. Gregory, the game’s starter, gave up a run on two hits and struck out two in three innings.

USAO 8, Panhandle State 3

USAO scored in all but two innings, including a three-run rally in the second, to secure an 8-3 win over Division II Panhandle State. In addition to their three runs in the second, the Drovers scored once in the first, once in the third, once in the fifth and two in the seventh for the five-run victory.

Judkins went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk to lead the way for USAO. Junior Jessica Darling went 2-for-2 with runs and an RBI, while Askins was 2-for-3 with a run and RBI. Hare was 1-for-2 and a team-high four RBIs.

Gregory struck out five and allowed three runs on two hits and two walks for the victory. Askins recorded four strikeouts and a walk, while allowing two hits, in three innings of relief.

Washburn 1, USAO 0

USAO managed just one hit and never really had an opportunity to score against Washburn in a 1-0 loss. Washburn collected four hits and scored in the fourth inning on a two-out single to center field.

Freshman Jennifer Bridgeforth got the Drovers’ only hit in the bottom of the third. Askins went the distance, allowing one run on four hits in the loss. The left-hander struck out three and walked three in her only complete game this season.

USAO 14, Eastern New Mexico 0

Almost scoring at will, USAO put up 13 runs in the third and fourth innings on the way to a 14-0 rout of Eastern New Mexico. The Drovers scored once in the second, five times in the third and eight in the fourth for the victory.

Aguilar (2-for-4), Judkins (2-for-4), Askins (2-for-3), Truelove (2-for-2) and Hare (2-for-4) each had multiple hits for USAO. Aguilar, Judkins, and Truelove also scored two runs each, while Truelove finished with a team-high three RBIs.

Gregory struck out three and allowed two runs and two walks in her first complete-game shutout  of the season.