Staying perfect: Eagle softball team soars to 12-0 with twin wins

MOBILE, Ala. — A dozen games. A dozen wins.

Texas A&M University-texarkana took an unbeaten record into the first day of the Gulf Coast Invitational, and emerged from the day with it still intact thanks to wins of 8-0 over Baker (Kansas) and a walk-off 6-5 victory against Bethel (Tennessee) to end the day.

Eagle head coach Marie Stone said she was not surprised by her team’s unbeaten start.

“We’re right where we expected to be and we feel we’re on the right track to playing winning softball,” she said after taking a quick break from doing her laundry Friday night in Mobile. “We’re playing like we’re capable of playing and as long as we played our game, I think we’ll be all right.”

In the opener, Eagle pitching ace Anna Westberry (60) picked up her sixth win of the season, needing just 51 pitches to finish a complete game, 2-hit shutout. The hard-throwing left-hander struck out six and walked one on a windy day that had gusts of up to 30 mph, the Eagle coach said.

“Anna’s just doing what she’s been doing for us the last two years,” Stone said. “She’s a tough competitor and she likes to pitch.”

Katie Slamer drove in three runs, Molly Harrison drove in two and the Eagles (12-0) finished the game with a dozen hits, including three doubles. TAMU-T opened the scoring with three runs in the first, added two more in the second and closed the book on Baker with a three-run seventh.

“Our 1-9 batters, the whole lineup from top to bottom, supplied us with timely hits and good at-bats,” Stone said. “We’re seeing the ball well.”

In the second game, Bethel took a 3-0 lead into the sixth frame, but the Eagles tied it with a three-run inning, with the tying runs scored on Macie Reeves’ two-run double.

Bethel went back in front with two runs in the seventh but the Eagles responded, tying the game on Baylee Stautzenberger’s single, then walking off with the win on a single by Grace Cantu. Stautzenberger had three hits in the game, while Cantu and Molly Harrison each had a pair.

Mackenzie Vittitow got the start and threw 5.1 innings, allowing just two earned runs. Stephanie Chico (3-0) got the win in relief.

(Photo courtesy of TAMU-T sports staff) Texas A&M University-texarkana pitcher Anna Westberry (6-0) points toward an Eagle infielder after the team recorded at out during Friday game against Baker, Kan., in the Gulf States Invitational in Mobile, Ala. Westberry hurled a 2-hit shutout and TAMU-T sweep a pair of games to run its record to 12-0 this season.