The University of Texas of the Permian Basin kicked off its 2013 Heartland Conference schedule with a pair of 3-1 & 5-1 victories at home over Oklahoma Panhandle State Friday afternoon in Odessa, Texas.
UTPB scored right away in the first, taking a 1-0 lead on a fly out to right by
Nikki Brailsford to score Kati Walkek from third on a sac fly.
The Falcons added two more unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Nikki Brailsford doubled to left with one out and a pair of two out walks by Taleas marble and
Leslianne Ericson loaded the bases. Brailsford and Marble scored a batter later as
Jackie Guzman's ground ball to third rolled under the third baseman's glove on an error to give UTPB a 3-0 lead.
OPSU got one run back in the top of the sixth as Brandi Heath doubled to straightaway center field to score Kaitlin McCool to pull back to within 3-1.
Desiree Valero tossed her best game of the season in the circle for UTPB, striking out eight in the complete game start while giving up just one run on three hits and a walk. She was perfect into the fifth inning, allowing her first baserunner on an infield single in the first at-bat of the fifth.
UTPB wasted little time scoring the majority of its runs right away in game two, taking a 1-0 lead on a Brailsford triple into right that scored
Cene Padilla from second. Brailsford was driven in on a sac fly by Marble after a
Chelsey Morgan walk, and
Jackie Guzman cleared the bases with a two-run homer to center for a 4-0 lead after one.
OPSU and UTPB traded runs in the fourth when the Aggies singled to left with the bases loaded and two outs, scoring one but leaving a pair on base as Marble threw out a runner trying to score from second on the play to get out of the inning. The Falcons got the run back on
Amber Gutierrez's third home run of the season.
Janessa Martinez improved to 2-2 on the season, limiting OPSU to one run on nine hits and a pair of walks in throwing all seven innings.
UTPB looks to complete the series sweep Saturday afternoon as the teams meet for the third and final game of the series at noon.
