DENTON, Texas (March 20, 2022) – Gracelyn Taylor hit her first career triple and recorded an RBI in the second game of the day for the Texas Woman's University softball against No. 20 Texas A&M University – Commerce.
 
TWU (8-15, 3-9 Lone Star Conference) lost two games to TAMUC (26-6, 11-1) on a sunny day at Dianne Baker Field. 
 
The Lions started the day out strong with two home runs to score nine runs in the first game and win 9-0 in five innings of play. In the second game, the Pioneers scored three runs but lost 10-3. 
 
The Pioneers recorded one hit in game one. In the bottom of the third inning, Rubi Diaz, who made an amazing diving grab in left field in the top of the third inning, channeled that same energy and hit a single to the pitcher. Diaz's single would be the Pioneers lone hit of the game.
 
Jules Malis (3-8) pitched three innings for the Pioneers. Malis finished with three strikeouts and just one walk.
 
TWU turned the tide in the second game. The Pioneers came out hot and scored the first run of the game to take an early 1-0 lead.
 
With Paige Tamayo on first base and Nya Brown on second base, Missy Wise struck out swinging at home, which gave Brown time to steal third. The pitcher threw the ball to the third baseman, so Tamayo went to steal second. With Tamayo taking the attention of the Lions infield, Brown sped bast and stole home to score.
 
Following the first inning, TAMUC scored nine unanswered runs. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Pioneers continued to battle and scored their second run of the game.
 
Diaz again stepped up big for the Pioneers. She hit a single to get on base. With two outs already on the board, Lily Wilson placed a perfect bunt on the left side to allow Diaz to advance. Then, the Lions first baseman mistimed the throw to second, so Diaz rounded third and scored the Pioneers second run of the day.
 
After igniting the crowd with a run, the Pioneers defense fed off the energy and held the Lions scoreless in the top of the fifth.
 
Continuing their scoring tenacity, Taylor showed her strength in the bottom of fifth inning, hitting a triple to the center field wall. The triple allowed Tamayo to score—Tamayo was walked earlier in the inning after fouling two balls in home run territory.
 
The Lions scored one more run in the top of the sixth to make it a 10-3 game. In the top of the seventh, the Pioneers defense did their work and held TAMUC scoreless, but their offense was unable to score in the bottom of the inning.
 
Taylor gave the Pioneers a chance to score after her single in the bottom of the seventh advanced pinch runner Kristin Rodriguez to third, but TWU was unable to bring Rodriguez home.
 
Kelsie Briggs (4-6) started in the circle for the Pioneers and was relieved by Jalee McDonald in the fourth inning. McDonald struck out three batters.
 
Taylor led the Pioneers on offense in the second game, recording two hits and one RBI. The Pioneers finished with seven hits.
 
TWU will go on the road next week for more Lone Star Conference action. They will travel to Lawton, Oklahoma to play a doubleheader at Cameron University on Friday, March 25 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.