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The Lions traveled to Texas to open the season against #4 ranked Midland TX. The offense wasted no time getting things rolling as Hannah Strength got on with a single; Jena Franks provided a sacrifice bunt to move her to second base. Then Rachel Baucom hit a single to score Strength and Ashley Smith delivered a home run with her very first collegiate at bat scoring both herself and Baucom. Jennifer Sexton got the ball and came out throwing hard allowing only 7 hits and 3 earned runs as the Lions went on to win 6-5. Baucom went 3-4, Strength 2-3 with a double and Smith went 2-3 with 2 HRs. Amanda Rogers also delivered a hit going 1-3. |
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Next the lions ran into a powerful offensive machine in the 7th ranked Central Arizona who jumped out to an early 6-1 lead. Then in the 5th the Lions woke up and scored 3 runs to make the game 4-6. However, that didn't last long as the lions gave up six runs on 4 hits and 4 errors going on to lose 12-4. Holli Hill took the loss while striking out 4 from Central Arizona. Baucom went 2-3 with 2 doubles. Strength added a hit with a double. Rogers, Brooke Allgood, Sallie Van Kirk, and Sallie Burch each added a hit.
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Things looked better on Friday as the Lady Lions settled in and started to play some good softball. Wallace State scored 16 runs on 16 hits while beating 25th ranked Vernon Regional College 16-11. Rachel Baucom led all hitters going 4-4 with a home run and a double. Sallie Burch went 3 for 3 with a Home run. Rogers homered going 2-4 and Sarah Wilson  slapped her first HR of the season. Jennifer Sexton picked up the win as Allison Reynolds caught the 7 inning slug fest. Reynolds went 1-3 at the plate with 2 RBIs and Caitlyn Bonham got her first hit while bunting her way on. |
| Next the Lions faced the 22nd ranked Odessa Chaparrals on their home field. The Lions again jumped out to an early 3-0 lead never to look back as they combined for 7 runs on 7 hits. Kaitlyn King provided the spark with a double and Immori Cater plated two runs with her first collegiate hit going 1-3. Dandi Ammons got in the act leading her team with 2 hits in 3 at bats and 2 RBIs. Ammons caught Holli Hill who got the win going 4 innings and striking out 4. Jennifer Sexton closed the last 3 innings preserving the win.
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The Lions finished the day playing the night cap while facing Howard College under the lights at the University of Texas - Permian Basin (UTPB) field. The Lions again relied on their offense with 5 runs on 9 hits while only giving up 3 runs on 6 hits. Sexton and Hill switched roles as Sexton picked up the win with Hill closing the game. Baucom lead the offensive charge going 3-4 while Wilson added a couple of hits going 2-3. Burch King Strength and Rogers each added a hit as the Lions moved to 4-1 on the season with the 5-3 win. |
| Saturday start off on a winning way as the Lady Lions run ruled Frank Phillips College 9-1. Kaylea Brewer got her first collegiate start throw 5 innings, striking out 4, giving up just 1 run on 2 hits. She also helped her cause going 2 for 2 at the plate with an RBI and a double. Wilson continued to hit going 3 for 3 with 3 RBIs. Smith, Burch, Van Kirk, Rogers and Jena Franks each added a hit to push the offense to another win. Baucom also added 2 hits and 2 RBIs in the winning effort.
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Mid day saw the Lions pitted against a tough Ranger College who would not quit. While the Lions jumped out to an 8 to nothing lead through the 4th, Ranger found a way to get back in the game scoring 2 in the 5th. The 6th inning got worse as Ranger scored 8 runs off of 3 hits and 4 errors which saw Brewer relieve Hill in the 6th and shut down the attack. Now behind 10-8, the Lions had to muster up some more offense. They answered the call scoring 4 runs on 5 hits to take the lead back. In the top of the 7th Ranger got runners on after the Lions got the first out of the inning. With runners on 1st and 2nd, the number 3 hitter for Ranger laced a line drive to right center, only to be run down by Wilson who made a diving catch to stop the offensive threat. Wilson went 3-3 with 3 RBIs; Van Kirk hit her first Home Run while going 2-4 and 3 RBIs. Baucom added 3 hits in 5 at bats while Strength added 2 hits. Rogers Smith and Brewer each had one hit for the 12-10 victory. |
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Wallace State closed out the weekend with a big game against number 9 ranked College of Southern Idaho from Boise Idaho. The Lions got behind in the second allowing CSI to score 1 run, but got things going in the 4th while Kaitlyn King punched a double of the top rail of the left field fence to start the rally. The lions scored 4 runs off of 6 hits by Rogers, Wilson, Strength and Baucom. The Lions never looked back as they held on for a 5-3 victory. Sexton go the win throwing all 7 innings, giving up 3 runs on 3 hits while striking out 4. Rogers lead the Wallace attack with 2 hits in 3 at bats. The Lions finished the weekend 7-1 while beating 4 top 25 teams. Wallace State is currently ranked 14th in the pre-season NJCAA poll. For more information visit NJCAA.com. (http://www.njcaa.org/sports.cfm?sid=28&divid=1&gender=w&slid=14&menu=2) |
