Tarleton State has just One More Hit than ENMU, but TexAnns Sweep Double-Header, 3-2 and 8-4
Nocas Blasts Homer in Opener; Picazo Goes 4 for 7 at the Plate

Box Score - Game 1 - TSU 3, ENMU 2
Box Score - Game 2 - TSU 8, ENMU 4

STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS — The Tarleton State University TexAnns managed just one more hit than the Eastern New Mexico University Zias (19 to 18) in a Lone Star Conference double-header on Friday, Apr. 8, but TSU won both games, claiming a 3-2 triumph in the opener, then taking an 8-4 victory in the second game. Tarleton State improved to 18-19 overall and to 5-8 in the LSC South. ENMU dropped to 17-24, 2-12 in the LSC South.

In the first game, both teams recorded eight hits, but TSU broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the fifth inning. Amanda Smith singled with one out, then Amy Braquet hit an RBI double with two outs. Braquet scored the second run of the inning on a single by Brynn Kamenicky.

TSU’s 3-1 lead was cut to one run with two outs in the seventh inning. Danielle Flores (So., DP, Loving, NM/Loving HS) singled to left field, then advanced to third base on a single by Adriana Reyes (Jr., 3B, El Paso, TX/El Paso CC). Flores scored and Reyes went to third on a single by Tori Picazo (So., RF/DP, McKinney, TX/Western Texas College), but Jessica Nocas (Jr., SS, Riverside, CA/Midland College), flew out to left field to end the game.

It was Nocas who scored the game’s first run on a homer to start the fourth inning. TSU tied the game during the next half inning, when Braquet led off with a double and scored after back-to-back singles by Lindsay Moore and Brandie Row.

The Zias recorded the first run in Game #2 in their first trip to the plate. Flores hit a leadoff single toward third, and reached second base on a wild pitch. She moved to third on a single by Picazo, then scored on a single down the left field line by Tina Whitt (Jr., C, Riverside, CA/Midland College).

Tarleton State countered with one run in the bottom of the first inning and two runs in the
second stanza for a 3-1 margin. The Zias tallied a single run in the third inning, but the TexAnns scored five times in the bottom of the inning for an 8-2 lead. Jennifer Johnson drove in three of the runs with a triple to right center.

Brandi Roe led the TexAnns with four hits in four at bats during the second game, as she finished the day 5 for 7 at the plate. Smith, Braquet and Kamenicky all went 2 for 3 for TSU in the opener, while Erika Alvarado was 2 for 4 in the second game.

Picazo led the Zias by going 4 for 7 on offense. She was 2 for 3 in the first game, then went 2 for 4 in the second game. Picazo was the only Zia with more than one hit in Game #1, but Flores and Whitt each provided two hits in the second game.

Amy Bristow (9-10) threw all seven innings for TSU to record the pitching victory in the opener. She earned six strikeouts and allowed two walks. Natasha Lindsey (Jr., RHP, Auburn, WA/Tusculum College) fell to 5-5 with the loss. In the second game, reliever Shannon Anderson (3-7) earned the win. Rosemary Moreno (Jr., RHP, Midland, TX/Midland College) dropped to 3-8 with the loss.

ENMU and TSU will conclude the series with a double-header on Saturday, Apr. 9. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. MDT at the TSU Softball Complex.