The WT Lady Buffs softball team entered Lone Star Conference play by sweeping the Midwestern Mustangs in a four game series March 6 through 7. The Lady Buffs ended their weekend at Schaeffer Park with an overall score of 47 to 5.
The Lady Buffs immediately came into action Friday night in the opener of their four game series against Midwestern defeating the Mustangs with a final score of 10 to 1. Wasting no time, senior Renee Erwin hitting a double giving the Lady Buffs a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The Lady Buffs racked in another seven runs in the second inning with a score of 8 to 0. As the fourth inning rolled on senior Kaisha Dacosin, and senior Lacey Taylor, went back to back with solo homeruns ending the inning with a 10 to 0 lead. Hokianga’s perfect game ended in the fifth as Midwestern’s Kelly Schaeffer put a number on the board with a solo homerun to make the score 10 to 1 as the final for game one.
Rita Hokianga, senior left-handed pitcher began the weekend with an almost perfect game allowing one hit at the top of the fifth in game one. Hokianga finished her second game on day two with a total of 10 strikeouts for the weekend. Coach Blaskowsi praised Hokianga’s pitching performance over the weekend.
“Rita came out and threw two great ball games, she was Rita this weekend and shut down one of the best offense teams in the region,” Coach Blaskowsi said.
The Lady Buffs continued to stay hot at the plate during game two on Friday with a final score of 19 to 2. The Lady Buffs had two high scoring innings with seven runs in the second and eight runs in the third. Dacosin got her swing back with a two run double giving the Lady Buffs a 19 to 0 lead in the third.
“Offensively I’m seeing the ball really well right now, I was in a slump last week. I figured myself out and brought myself back together and worked harder,” Dacosin said.
The Lady Buffs completed the double header plating 29 runs on 30 hits friday.
Keeping their momentum the Lady Buffs tallied six runs in the third inning of game three. Erwin hit a RBI double and senior Allie Cranfill hit a triple driving in two runs followed by freshman Ashley Hardin hitting a double to left center driving in Cranfill. The Lady Buffs scored another run in the inning bringing them to an 8 to 1 lead. Hokianga gave up one run on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts finishing the game 9 to 1.
The Lady Buffs ended the series with a score of 9 to 1 in game four. Dacosin lead off with a three run hit to left center field. A sac fly by Erwin followed by Dacosin’s RBI single gave the Lady Buffs an 8 to 1 lead. Hardin hit a triple giving the game its final score of 9 to 1.
“We finally found ourselves as a team, we know our standards and expectations right now,” Hokianga said.
The Lady Buffs looked to make a big statement against Midwestern State, who was picked to finish high in the conference.
“In this conference to come out with four straight wins, thats a big weekend. Especially against the team that was picked to finish third in the conference,” Coach Blaskowsi said.
With the win, the nation’s top ranked Lady Buffs improved to 17-2 on the season and 4-0 in the conference. The Lady Buffs have won seven straight and 14 of their last 15.
The Lady Buffs now head to Angelo State to take on the sixth ranked Rambelles. The Rambelles look to give the Lady Buffs their first challenge in the conference. The Rambelles are 18-2 on the season and 5-1 in the conference. The Rambelles are also having a stretch of success much like the Lady Buffs. They have won seven of their last eight. The two teams will square off in a four game series March 13 through 14 in San Angelo.
