UT Permian Basin Softball showed their potential on opening day, blasting two home runs and swiping three bases. The team picked up where they left off last season with three doubles over both games.
Valerie Gonzalez started the season right, as the Falcons lead-off hitter highlighted the offense going 2-for-4 scoring a run and collecting a stolen base. The Falcons used their speed as much as they could as
Abby Hernandez and
Nayeli Diaz also stole a base. Hernandez stole second and Diaz stole home. The Falcons forced five Fort Hayes errors on the day. It wasn't enough as the Falcons offense was held to five hits as they fell 6-3.
The Falcons got doubles from
Aracely Araiza and Alice Marion. Gonzalez was the only Falcon with multiple hits in the game going 2-4 scoring a run.
Abby Cousins pitched 5.2 innings walking one batter.
Sierra Camacho pitched one inning of relief facing three batters and
Abrie Castillo pitch a third of an inning recording a strike out.
In their second game of the day against Nebraska – Kearney the Falcons got off to a fast start. The Falcons struck first on a home run by
Kortlyn Brown, the first of her collegiate career, in the second inning. Later in the inning
April Arellano singled to center driving in Alice Marion to go up 2-0. In the top of the fifth Araiza blasted her first homer of the year driving in three runs, but that's as close as the Falcons would get as they fell 6-5.
The Falcons collected 13 hits during the game led by Arellano going 3-for-4. Other Falcons collecting multiple hits were
Emily Andress,
Rylie Reed, Brown, and Marion.
Becky Berth got the start for the Falcons going 4.2 innings striking out five batters.
Sierra Camacho once again pitched in relief for the Falcons collecting three of her four outs on ground balls.
The Falcons will be back in action tomorrow with a pair of game to complete the Lubbock Invitational. They will face Newman at 11 AM and Washburn at 5 PM. To follow all the action, download the UTPB Athletics App today.
