Boxscore
EMPORIA, Kan. (May 15) – The TWU softball team picked up its second NCAA Regional victory in the program history with a 7-2 win over Central Oklahoma Saturday evening. The Pioneers eliminated UCO from the South Central Regional Tournament and will face the host Emporia State tonight. It’s the first win for TWU against the Bronchos this season in five tries.
The Pioneers jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the top of the first inning. With one out in the inning, freshmen Kayla Williams doubled to the left center and Lizzy Kelly walked. Senior Billie Callahan doubled to the center field to drive in her 44th and 45th runs of the season.
TWU added two more in the third to extend the lead. Callahan singled through the right side and moved to second on senior Angie Arebalos’ second walk of the game. Freshman Jordan Readicker singled to the left field to drive in the third run. The Pioneers loaded the bases and scored their fourth run on a sacrifice fly by sophomore April Mandel.
Central Oklahoma cut the deficit in half with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Pioneers answered in the fifth to push the lead back to four. Kelly doubled and scored on Callahan’s second double of the game. Mendel singled with two outs to bring home Callahan to make it 6-2.
TWU added a run in the sixth to take a five-run lead. Junior Hayley Siebman led off the inning with a single, stole second, stole third and scored on Kelly’s sacrifice fly.
Callahan finished the game 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Mandel drove in two runs while Kelly scored two. Williams pitched 2.2 innings in relief for the win.
TWU improves to 39-21 on the season and will face the Hornets at 8:45 p.m. in the loser’s bracket at Trumbull Field.