CANYON, TEXAS - #2 seed UT Tyler softball pulled off a huge comeback win over #3 seed Angelo State on Friday as they earned their spot in the LSC Tournament Championship game for a third straight season.
Through the first three innings of Friday's contest, the two teams combined for just one run in what was shaping up to be a pitcher's duel. Starter
Kaylee Davis worked a 1-2-3 first inning and worked around a single in the second with three key outs. In the third, she got the first two hitters before issuing a walk and a hit by pitch, but she ended the inning with a groundout and no runs allowed.
In the bottom of the third,
JT Smith would score the first run of the game as she looped a homer around the right field foul pole to make it 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, the Rambelles struck back, leading off with two singles, an error, and a hit by pitch to tie the game. That would ultimately chase Davis from the game, and she made way for
Primrose Aholelei. The Rambelles got an RBI single and a walk, taking a 3-0 lead. Aholelei battled back, getting a strikeout before allowing another RBI single. She closed out the inning with a strikeout and a fielder's choice as the Rambelles took a 4-0 lead.
The Patriots would load the bases with two outs in the fourth, but couldn't get a run across. Aholelei worked a 1-2-3 fifth to keep the Rambelles at bay. That would set up the bottom of the fifth, where the Patriots would get right back into the game.
A leadoff single and a hit by pitch around a flyout and infield fly put a pair on with two outs, and
Miia Campos drove home a run with an RBI single up the middle.
Abbie Behe would follow, and she drilled a single to left center, plating a pair of runs and tying the game. A single and a hit by pitch loaded the bases yet again, and
Ka'Lyn Watson drilled a ball that became an error at shortstop and bounced into center field, allowing two runs to score and the Patriots to lead 6-4.
Aholelei shut down the Rambelles in the sixth, getting a strikeout, popout, and flyout around a walk. After the Patriots went scoreless, Aholelei trotted back out for the seventh and got a groundout to begin the final frame. However, after a single and a walk,
Cera Blanchard would step into the circle and got a strikeout and a groundout to end the contest and ensure the Patriots win.
Aholelei got the win to move to 15-1 on the year after going 3.1 innings while allowing no runs, three hits, three walks, and striking out three batters.
Cera Blanchard earned her first save of the season after closing out the final two outs.
Taryn Barney and
Miia Campos each had a pair of hits, while also combining for three walks.
Abbie Behe, Campos, and
JT Smith each collected at least one RBI on the day.
UT Tyler will now wait and see who their final opponent will be in the LSC Championship. That championship game will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon in Canyon, Texas.
