CANYON, Texas – Despite enduring a 9-1 loss in the first game of the doubleheader, Western Oregon softball nearly handed West Texas A&M their first loss of the season as the Buffs came back from a four-run deficit to win 7-6 over the Wolves.
 
On the second day of the West Texas A&M Invite, the Buffs remained undefeated in 14 games, while the Wolves are now 5-8 overall this season.
 
GAME #1 – WESTERN OREGON 1, WEST TEXAS A&M 9
The first game kicked off with two runs from the Buffs in the opening inning.
 
In the top of the third, junior Destiny Kuehl began an offensive spark with a single, and junior Kelsie Gardner singled right after her. With another single from freshman Ryanne Huffman, Kuehl made the run home for Western Oregon's only point.
 
West Texas A&M earned some breathing room as they increased their lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the third.
 
In the fifth, the Wolves tallied two singles from junior Ku'ulei Siolo and Gardner, but the two were left on base.
 
The Buffs produced another two runs in the sixth, and the game came to an end with a two-run homerun from West Texas A&M's freshman Brittany Cruz.
 
Contributing to the Wolves' seven hits, sophomore Zoe Clark also added two singles.
 
Senior pitcher Stephanie Morgan (1-2) took the loss as she stood in the circle for the full game. As the Buffs delivered at least one hit in five of their six innings, Morgan allowed 11 hits and struck out one batter.
                                                                                                      
GAME #2 –WESTERN OREGON 6, WEST TEXAS A&M 7
In the second half of the doubleheader, the Wolves triggered the offense starting with the first inning. Despite two outs, Western Oregon got on base as Clark reached on an error and sophomore Alex Frazier was hit by the pitch. Junior Ashlee Lynch then stepped up to the plate and blasted a homerun to left field, placing the Wolves ahead by three runs early in the match.
 
With two outs on the line again, the Wolves added another run in the second inning. Kuehl doubled to center field and scored immediately after with the help of another double from Gardner.
 
Through the first four innings, West Texas A&M only got on base through walks and hit-by-pitches. It wasn't until the fifth inning that the Buffs earned their first hit and cut into the Wolves' lead with two runs.
 
In the sixth, the Wolves pulled out of the Buffs' reach when sophomore Lizzet Dominguez homered to center field and brought senior Elaine Sperry home for two runs. However, the Buffs responded with a two-run homerun of their own to be within two points again.
 
The pressure increased as the game reached the bottom of the seventh. Two outs gave Western Oregon hope, and the Wolves came close to ending the game as the pitch reached full counts for two West Texas A&M batters, but they both drew walks.
 
As the Wolves allowed an intentional walk, the bases were loaded in a high-risk, high-reward situation. Another walk for the Buffs brought a runner in, but it was freshman Shayne Starkey who produced the win as she singled, allowing two Buffs to score.
 
Overall in the second contest, Kuehl went 2-for-2 at bat, and Gardner as well as Lynch went 2-for-3 at bat.
 
Senior Alyson Boytz pitched 5.1 innings, allowing four of the Buffs' five hits, yet striking out eight batters. Dominguez (2-3) stepped in during the sixth inning and struck out one, but she took the loss for the game.
 
Up next, the Wolves will conclude the tournament on Sunday, February 21 with a doubleheader against Lincoln. First pitches will be at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. CT.