No. 13 Angelo State Splits Day One at the George and Ola McCorkle Challenge

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Angelo State softball team split its opening day at the George and Ola McCorkle Challenge, falling 2-0 to Missouri Western before rebounding with a 9-1 run-rule victory over Ouachita Baptist on Friday.

In the opener, the Rambelles out-hit Missouri Western 5-3, but Griffons pitcher Ashlyn Finarty provided the decisive hit in a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning. Angelo State threatened late, loading the bases in both the sixth and seventh innings, but was unable to push across a run.

Maddison Ruiz went the distance in the circle, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out six.

Angelo State’s offense came alive in Game Two, scoring in the first and third innings before breaking the game open with six runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Taylor Haywood led off the inning with a double and later scored on a wild pitch. Karli Manney followed with a two-run single, and a Tatiana Trotter sacrifice fly set the stage for RBI extra-base hits from Abby Brand and Zoey Sifuentes to extend the lead to 8-1.

Greysen Collins delivered an RBI single in the sixth to give the Rambelles the eight-run margin needed for the run-rule victory.

Ashleigh Dendas earned her second win of the season, allowing two hits and one run while striking out three in four innings. Addy Ewing tossed the final two innings in relief without allowing a hit.

The Rambelles improved to 6-1 on the season and return to action Saturday with rematches against Missouri Western and Ouachita Baptist.