Softball | 2/21/2014 3:05:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Western Oregon University softball team opened the Rattler Invitational with a split on Day 1. The Wolves opened with a 6-4 win over Tarleton State (Texas) and fell in a 7-3 decision to No. 14 St. Mary's in the second game.

The Wolves (3-8) jumped out to an early lead over Tarleton State, but fell behind early to St. Mary's. Eryka Brill (1-1) grabbed her first win of the season on the mound. The junior struck out eight TSU batters in a complete game performance. Danielle Harcourt hit two doubles in her two plate appearances. Bridjet Box and Destiny Kuehl both drove in two runs.

Western Oregon scored the first six runs in the win over Tarleton State (7-10). An Ashlie Gardner double to right field brought in Box to open the scoring in the top of the second inning. The Wolves added three runs in the third inning. After scoring a run on a walk with the bases loaded, WOU scored two on a Box single that drove in Amanda Evola and Kelsie Gardner.

Two more Western Oregon runs in the fourth inning proved to be the difference. Kuehl scored on a passed ball and Emma Alonso drove in Harcourt with a single. The Texanns threatened with four unanswered runs over the final four innings, but could not match WOU.  Bailiee Mauldin drove in three of the TSU runs with two singles.

The Wolves finished with eight hits and three errors, while Tarleton State had nine hits and one error. The Texanns stranded 10 runners on base to Western Oregon's six. Brill (1-1) threw 127 pitches and 85 were strikes. She walked two TSU batters and gave up three earned runs. Brenna Hennan (3-4) was credited with the loss for the Texanns. The junior allowed four earned runs on seven hits in three innings of work. Randi Fentress closed the game and struck out seven Wolves.

In the second game against the host Saint Mary's, Western Oregon gave up five runs in the opening inning and never recovered. A two-run single followed by a three-run home run in the bottom of the first tamed the Wolves.

Danielle Hannan got WOU on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning with a single through the left side that scored Box. The Rattlers (13-3) responded with two more runs in the bottom of the third inning. Laura Benavidez brought in her third run with a groundout to third. Alex Rodriguez then drove in her fourth run of the day with a single to left field. Kuehl completed the scoring in the fourth inning with a two RBI single that brought in Ashlie Gardner and Harcourt.

Vianna Gutierrez (3-1) picked up the victory after a four-inning performance. The junior allowed three earned runs on six hits. She struck out three batters, while walking four. Maricela Bissaro grabbed her first save of the season pitching the final three innings. Kelli Demianew (0-3) had the loss for Western Oregon. She pitched all six innings.

The Wolves left seven runners on base. Evola and Box both hit doubles in the setback. The Wolves also committed both errors in the contest.

Western Oregon returns to the Rattler Invitational Saturday. The Wolves face Midwestern State (Texas) (8-4) at 10 a.m., followed by a matchup against Roger State (Okla.) (2-5) at 2 p.m. Both times are Central Time. The Midwestern State matchup will have live video and stats on WOUWolves.com.