Lady Eagles hit stride with eye on playoffs

After a slow start this season, the Texas A&M University-Texarkana Lady Eagles softball team has turned things around lately.

A&M-Texarkana swept a weekend series against Langston (Okla.) University, which included a 9-1, run-rule victory Sunday afternoon.

The Lady Eagles defeated Langston 10-4 and 3-2 on Saturday.

“This was a very important make or break series for us,” said head coach Marie Stone. “I’m pretty sure this clinched a playoff spot for us.”

“Vasquez did a real good job pitching today.” Stone added. “Our catcher, Hannah Cooper, had a really good series this weekend. She has been doing some extra work and its’ paid off.”

There are nine teams in the Red River Conference, and the top six qualify for the post-season playoffs. “I think we’re about in the middle of the standings,” said Stone.

A&M-Texarkana closes out its regular home season next weekend against LSU-Alexandria.

“They are a very good team, and I believe they are in second place,” Stone said.

After Langston scored in the top of the first inning after a triple by Jahnae Davis-Houston and single by Cameron Jenkins, the Eagles responded with two runs in the bottom half.

Maylee Martinez started the two-out rally with a single and Kacey Maines drew a base on balls.

Cooper then drilled a line drive over the centerfielders’ head for a two-run double.

The Eagles added a run in the second frame, and put up four big runs in the third for a 7-1 advantage.

Cooper lined a one-out double to left-center and Kallee King reached on an error. After the second out, Brianna Davis singled, pinch-hitter Kallee Wilkins drew a walk, and leadoff batter Kayla Mahan cleared the bases with a three-run triple to left field.

Taylor Sutton had RBI single in the fourth for an 8-1 lead.

In the fifth inning, Olivia Mueller drew a walk and Mahan beat out a bunt. With runners on second and third, Alyssa Steward hit a grounder to third, and Mueller beat the throw to the plate to end the game by the 8-run-rule, 9-1, after five innings.

Cassie Vasquez, junior righthander, went the distance, allowing only three hits while striking out five. The only hits came in the first two innings. Langston 100 00 — 1 3 1 A&M-Texarkana 214 11 — 9 9 0 Game ended with outs in the fifth inning by the 8-run rule.

Kenya Grauberger, Nalah Baker (4) and Julia Bagley. Cassie Vasquez and Hannah Cooper. WP-Vasquez. LP-Grauberger.