UT Permian Basin softball picked up its second win against a ranked team in 2019 Saturday when the Falcons came from behind to force extra innings, and scored three runs in the bottom of the 11th to rally for a 6-5 victory over #24 Angelo State at the UTPB Softball Field in Odessa.
The Falcons, trailing 2-0 after the top of the third, grabbed one run back in the bottom half of the inning when
Vanessa Alonzo singled in
Jessica Gonzales to pull back to trailing 2-1.
The one-run game held up until the Falcons entered the bottom of the seventh needing one run to tie, two to win. UTPB loaded the bases when
April Arellano singled to lead off the inning,
Ruby Sanchez drew a full-count walk, and
Abrie Castillo singled into center to load the bases. Two batters later,
Abby Hernandez drove a 2-2 pitch into right field to score Arellano and force the game to extra innings.
Each team left a runner stranded in the first two extra innings, the Belles leaving a runner in scoring position after a one-out double in the eighth, and the Falcons after Arellano walked to lead off the ninth.
Angelo State went ahead for the second time in the game on a single by Jade Strother to go back ahead 3-2.
The Falcons fought back once more in their turn at the plate, putting the tying run on base when Hernandez was hit by a pitch with one out. She moved into scoring position on a double by Gonzales, and scored a batter later when Alonzo grounded out to third and Hernandez raced home to beat the throw from first.
The Belles looked to have the game in hand when a pair of doubles gave them a 5-3 lead, but UTPB got back to work when
Choco Munoz was hit by a pitch with one out and moved to second on a base hit by
Alyssa Lopez. Gonzalez walked to load the bags with one out, and
Alicia Marion doubled to left center to score two runs and tie the game.
Abby Hernandez was hit by a pitch for the second time to reach first, and stole second base without a throw. On the same play, Marion took a large lead off of third and dove back to the bag on a throw to the base. The throw from home sailed into foul territory down the third base line, and Marion raced home for the game-winning run.
"I am extremely proud of the way the team pulled together and showed heart, passion and grit," said head coach
Tiala Tagaloa. "Today was all about the will to win and they didn't stop pushing until we were able to get the job done."
Marion and Gonzales each had a pair of hits for UTPB, leading the offense as the Falcons out-hit the Belles 10-9.
Sloan Springfield picked up the win in the circle for the Falcons, throwing all 11 innings for the complete game victory. She struck out three while allowing nine hits and five runs while walking none. The win was her fourth of the season.
Earlier in the day the Falcons showed plenty of fight in a 4-2 loss against the Belles. Trailing 1-0 after a first inning Angelo State run, Alonzo scored two on a single to right center that scored Arellano and Hernandez.
UTPB kept the 2-1 lead until the top of the sixth when Angelo State scored with two outs to even the game at 2-2.
The Belles went ahead in the top half of the inning, scoring twice on a single up the middle and a later double steal.
Castillo had another strong showing in the circle in game one, allowing three earned runs on nine hits and a pair of walks. She struck out a pair in the seven innings.
"I think Abrie and Sloan did a phenomenal job today," said Tagaloa. "They went toe to toe with some of the toughest hitters in the conference and did a great job of keeping them off balance."
Hernandez reached base all three times, drawing a pair of walks with a hit and run scored for the offense.
The Falcons are back looking to take the series win Sunday. First pitch against the Belles is set for 1 p.m.
