The unpredictable Canyon weather provided Lady Buff softball with a summer-like series on March 23-24 for Military Appreciation Weekend against No. 1 Angelo State. The weekend would prove to be another history-making one for WTAMU as senior Kim LeComte became the all-time leader in runs scored in the Lone Star Conference on Friday with 208 runs.

The first of the three game series at Lady Buff Yard set the stage as Meghan Slattery had an RBI triple in the bottom of the third. Mallory Wyatt had a sacrifice fly to make the lead 2-0. Marci Womack kept Angelo State scoreless, picking up a complete game shutout with only seven hits and no walks. The 2-0 win was Womack’s 10th win of the year.

“I think we’ve kind of found our mark and we’re clicking now,” Catcher Meghan Brown said. “In the beginning, we had a lot of different girls from a lot of different places and were finding out who we are. Now we are just starting to come in to who we are.” Continue reading →

In a Lone Star Conference opening weekend for the No. 2 Lady Buffs, the team traveled to Stephenville to take on Tarleton State in three games over two days.

The action started March 2 as the Lady Buffs stepped on the field and opened up scoring in the top of the third inning off a three-run home run from Meghan Brown. However, the Texanns waited until the last second to take the lead, bringing in four runs in the bottom of the fifth. The close game would end with a score of 4-3, giving Marci Womack only her second loss in nine games this season.

Tarleton carried their momentum from the first game into Friday night, having three innings with multiple runs, including four in the third inning. In addition to their excellent offense, TSU’s Randi Fentress led their defense, allowing only two WT hits in the game. The 8-1 loss was recorded under Amber Spencer’s name. The game is only the second loss of the season where the team has lost by more than three points.

WTAMU returned to the field on Saturday for the last game in the three-game weekend series, looking to redeem their loss. In another game that would take a few innings to get rolling, the TexAnns opened up scoring in the bottom of the fourth.

However, the Lady Buffs refused to let TSU have it easy, scoring in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 1-1. However, once again, Tarleton proved to be too much for WT as they took a 3-1 lead into the seventh. The Lady Buffs would be swept for the first time this season with Marci Womack picking up her second loss of the weekend.

“It was a very rough weekend, very frustrating,” Head Coach Kevin Blaskowski said. “I don’t know that there’s any area of the game that I would say we performed well in. I would say that offensively we generated less than two runs a game and the bottom five spots on our roster were, I think, 1-for-32 this weekend.“

The weekend sweep takes the Lady Buffs’ record to 11-6 with a 0-3 record in conference play. The team returns to Lady Buff Yard for their next seven games starting with a double-header on March 6 at 2 p.m.

Weather may have cut the Lady Buff Invitational short this weekend, but the WTAMU softball team made a big impression on the Lone Star Conference during its three games on Feb. 10.

The Lady Buffs started out the weekend and their season by taking on Oklahoma Panhandle State in the first of a triple-header. WT rolled over the team, scoring five runs in the first inning. The fourth inning would be the biggest inning for the Lady Buffs as they scored six runs, with four of those coming from Allie Cranfill’s grand slam in her first career hit on the team.

The team ended the game in the fifth inning, winning 11-1 against the Aggies. Marci Womack struck out nine OPSU players while allowing only four hits and walking one batter during the game. While the win was big, even bigger may have been Meghan Brown becoming the LSC’s all-time career walks leader with 125.

“[Brown] forces pitchers to throw strikes and for her to achieve that honor is testament to her discipline at the plate and I’m really proud of her,” Head Coach Kevin Blaskowski said.

After a short break, the Lady Buffs stepped onto the field again to take on UT-Permian Basin. Shortstop Alyssa Lemos put a run on the board for WT in the bottom of the first, the first tally of an 8-6 game. Allie Cranfill proved that she is a strong addition to the Lady Buffs, hitting her second homerun of the day in the second inning. The Falcons would make a late surge in the game, but WT’s Amber Spencer would stop the team in their tracks, striking out two batters and ending the game by getting a ground ball to third base.

The Lady Buffs win would go to Adriana Garcia, only giving up two runs on five hits. The pitcher would record no walks and one strikeout in her five innings in the circle.

WT’s undefeated weekend would be highlighted by their final game of the night as Marci Womack recorded her first career no-hitter against St. Edwards. The Lady Buffs took ahold of the game in the second inning, scoring four runs before recording three runs in the third and one in the fourth to end the game in five innings.

Womack was credited for two of WT’s three wins on Friday, with 18 strikeouts in 10 innings for an ERA of 0.00. Her no-hitter is only the fourth in school history.

“I thought Marci Womack was outstanding in the circle. She did a great job and really gave us a chance to win the two games she threw,” Blaskowski said. The rest of our pitchers still have some work to do, but it’s early so we’ll see what we get done this week.”

The Lady Buffs’ undefeated tournament allows them to start the season with a record of 3-0. They return to the field next weekend for the WT Lady Buff Classic at Buffalo Sports Park starting at 2 p.m. on Feb. 17 and going through Feb. 19.

After taking a crucial road series from Tarleton last time out, the #23 ranked Lady Buffs were determined to send their seniors off in style as they took the field at Lady Buff Yard April 29-30 for a series against Eastern New Mexico.

Game one saw ENMU jump out to the early 3-0 lead after one inning of play.  WT found their rhythm and responded with eight runs of their own in the bottom of the third to take an 8-3 lead.  At the end of four, the Lady Buffs were well in control at 9-3.  The Zias tried to mount a comeback with two runs in the top of the fifth, but WT shut the door with five runs highlighted by a walk-off two run homerun by sophomore Meghan Slattery to win the game 14-5 in five innings.

Freshman Alyssa Lemos added three RBI for the Lady Buff of•fense with senior Kaitlyn Witte chipping in two RBI in the game.

Junior Marci Womack got the complete game victory on the mound for the Lady Buffs (19-7) she gave up five runs on eight hits while striking out five batters.

WT made sure the second game wasn’t as close as the first.  At the end of two innings it was 8-0 Lady Buffs.  In the bottom of the fourth inning, the maroon and white added nine more runs to put the game away and claim the 17-0 run rule victory.

Lemos once again had three RBI in the contest.  Juniors Kim•berly LeComte, Kristina Myles, freshman Mallory Wyatt, and sophomore Brooke Webster all contributed two RBI in the contest.

Junior Shelbey Cockrell got the complete game shutout on the mound (20-7) she allowed only three hits while striking out 12 batters.

The sweep was complete in game three with a 3-0 victory for the Lady Buffs.  Womack got the victory on the mound (20-7), only allowing one hit while striking out 10 batters.  Cockrell got her fourth save of the season.

WT finishes their first season at Lady Buff Yard with an impres•sive 24-3 record.  The Lady Buffs will graduate four seniors from this year’s squad.  Those seniors are Kaitlyn Witte, Kasey Hender•son, Chantel Pearson and Christie Russell.

The Lady Buffs overall record now stands at 40-14 with a 14-7 record in LSC play.  ENMU finishes its season at 13-41 with a 3-18 record in conference play.  WT will now prepare for the LSC con•ference tournament which will take place May 5-7 on the campus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma.

The formula was pretty cut and dry for the WTAMU baseball team coming into their series with Tarleton on April 29-30 at Wilder Park.  For the Buffs to make the LSC tournament, they had to have a sweep of the #22 ranked Texans. 
Game one proved to be nothing short of a slugfest.  In the first inning, senior Garrett Campfield hit a two-run homerun that was part of a six run inning for the Buffs.  WT led 6-1 after one complete.  After TSU got a run back in the top of the second, junior Jordan Easom hit a two run homer in the bottom of the third to make it an 8-2 game.   Easom struck again in the fourth with a solo homerun as part of a four run inning that saw the Buffs lead 12-3.

TSU cut the lead down to six in the top of the sixth with three more runs to make it 12-6.  But, WT answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to extend the lead to 14-6.  Things got a little tense when TSU scored two runs in the top of the seventh and eighth, but the Buffs held their nerve and eventually came away with a 15-11 victory.

Easom finished the day with four RBI followed by senior Will Miller and junior Bryce Baugh with three RBI each.

Junior Justin Kuks got the victory pitching on the mound for the Buffs (8-5).  He gave up six runs on seven hits with five strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work.

In the second game of the series, WT’s worst fears came to pass as a six run third inning was too much to overcome as TSU claimed an 8-5 victory and ended the Buffs hopes of qualifying for the LSC tournament.

Junior Irving Camacho was tagged with the loss for the Buffs (6-4).  He gave up six runs on nine hits with three strikeouts in 3.0 innings of work.

Despite a three run homerun by senior Will Miller in the series finale, it wasn’t enough as the Texans claimed the series with another 8-5 victory.

Junior Casey Lish got the loss on the mound (3-5).  He gave up two runs on two hits in 1.0 innings of work.

WT finishes the season 30-19 overall.  This is the fourth time in program history the Buffs have won 30 games and the first time since 2002.

The Buffs will graduate nine seniors from this squad which include Brad Elders, Trey Horn, Will Miller, Mike De Long, Josh Cordova, Tyler Reagan, Garrett Campfield, Jonathan Paez, and Richard Glenn.

It’s been said if you’re going to play a non-conference opponent you might as well take on someone really good.  That’s exactly what the #23 ranked WTAMU Lady Buffs did on April 26 as they took on Lubbock Christian who is a member of the NAIA and ranked #7 in the nation at Lady Buff Yard.

In game one the Lady Chaps took the lead at 2-0 in the top of the first inning.  The lead held up until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Lady Buffs tied the game at 2-2.  However, LCU made it 4-2 when they came to bat in the sixth inning.  WT cut the lead down to one run and had a chance to either tie or win the game with runners on second and third but couldn’t capitalize as they fell 4-3.

Junior Marci Womack was tagged with the loss (18-7) for the Lady Buffs.  She gave up four runs on six hits with four strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work.

Game two was another tightly contested affair with both teams giving the other their best shot.  Despite taking the lead after one inning at 1-0, the Lady Buffs were never in control early on.  LCU came right back with four runs of their own to take a 4-1 lead in the top of the third.  However, the Lady Buffs responded with five total runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth to claim the 6-4 victory and the series split.

Junior Kim LeComte led the offense on the day for the Lady Buffs with three RBI.

Junior Shelbey Cockrell picked up the win on the mound for WT (19-6) giving up no runs on two hits with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings of relief.

WT’s overall record now stands at 37-14.  The Lady Buffs will finish up conference play the weekend of April 29-30 as they play host to Eastern New Mexico.  First pitch from Lady Buff Yard is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on April 29 as part of a doubleheader with a single game scheduled for April 30.

Softball equipment. Courtesy of Creative Commons.org.

WT struck first in the bottom of the second inning in game one when junior Kristina Myles hit an RBI single to score Kaitlyn Witte to make it 1-0.  ASU however showed why they are ranked so high with four runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 4-1 lead.  Witte struck again in the bottom half of the inning to cut the lead to 4-3.  ASU though was one step ahead again and increased  the lead to 6-3 in the top of the sixth.  WT fought hard but eventually fell 7-4.

Junior Marci Womack was tagged with the loss (16-5) giving up four runs on three hits while striking out four batters in 4.2 innings of work.

WT responded in game two with a flurry.  After two complete innings the Lady Buffs were on top 3-0.  Angelo however, came back with four runs of their own and took the lead at 4-3.   In the bottom of the third the Lady Buffs retook the lead with three more runs to make the score 6-4.  Two more insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth propelled the Lady Buffs to an 8-4 victory.

Senior Kasey Henderson led the offense for the Lady Buffs with three RBI in the game followed by junior Kristina Myles with a two-run homer that sealed the game.

Womack picked up the victory on the mound for the Lady Buffs (16-6) giving up four runs on eight hits while striking out nine batters in the complete game effort.

The Lady Buffs claimed the series in game three thanks to a five run third inning.  WT held off the ASU rally and came away with a 5-3 victory.

Witte had another outstanding day at the plate highlighted by her second grand slam of the season and her sixth homerun of the year.

Junior Shelbey Cockrell picked up the victory pitching (16-6) giving up three runs on six hits while striking out seven in 6.0 innings of work.  Womack picked up the save (1).

WT’s overall record now stands at 32-12 overall with a 9-6 record in LSC play.  The Lady Buffs will play host to St. Edwards on April 19 in a doubleheader.  First pitch from Lady Buff Yard is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Since beginning LSC South play, the #23 ranked WTAMU Lady Buffs have struggled to find their rhythm.  WT looked to turn things around April 8-9 as they traveled to Kingsville to take on the Javelinas of Texas A&M Kingsville.

In game one, the Lady Buffs scored four runs in the second inning and one in the third to take the early 5-0 lead.  Despite a furious comeback by Kingsville in the sixth and seventh innings, the Lady Buffs were able to hold on and claim the series opener 5-4.

The Lady Buff offense was led by sophomore Meghan Slattery who went 1-for-3 with two RBI.  Junior Whitney Midkiff went 2-for-3.

Junior Marci Womack picked up the win pitching for the Lady Buffs (14-5) giving up four runs on seven hits while striking out five in 6.1 innings of work.

WT kept the momentum going in game two as junior Kim LeComte hit a grand slam in the top of the fifth inning to help propel the Lady Buffs to a 5-2 victory.  Junior Shelbey Cockrell picked up the win on the mound for the Lady Buffs (14-6) giving up two runs on four hits while striking out 14 batters in the complete game win.

With the sweep on the horizon, the Lady Buffs put together a solid performance in the final game of the series.  RBI doubles by Slattery, LeComte, and freshman Alyssa Lemos helped WT get a 3-0 victory and the series sweep over Kingsville.

Marci Womack went 5.1 innings in picking up the win (15-5).  She gave up no runs on three hits while striking out four.  Shelbey Cockrell picked up the save (3) striking out four batters in 1.2 innings of work.

WT’s overall record now stands at 30-11 over•all with a 7-5 record in LSC play.  The Lady Buffs will return home for a showdown series with #10 ranked Angelo State on April 15-16.  First pitch from Lady Buff Yard is set for 4:00 p.m. with a doubleheader on April 15.