UT Permian Basin Softball is finding their stride at the right time and are now winners of eight of their last nine games after sweeping Texas Woman's on Sunday.  The Falcons are now 8-1 at home and winners of 14 of their last 17 overall.  On Sunday it was the bats working for the Falcons as they pushed across 16 runs in the sweep.
 
They got things going in the second inning of the first game.  Valerie Gonzalez's single brought home Lani Graft for the first run of the day.  The very next batter, Leslie Martinez ripped a 3-2 pitch into the left field corner for a two-run double and a 3-0 lead.  After the Pioneers scored two in their half of the fourth, the Falcons responded right back.  An error by the pitcher allowed Graft to score on a bunt and later in the inning Sydney Bishop scored on a sac fly off the bat of Aracely Araiza. 
 
The Pioneers wouldn't go down quietly, scoring one in the fifth and two in the seventh to send the game to extra innings.  Destini Trahan escaped a second and third jam with one out in the top of the inning thanks to a rundown getting the lead runner at home.  The Falcons made quick work in the bottom of the inning.  Martinez reached on an error and stole second.  Araiza singled to left and a bobble by the fielder allowed Martinez to score for the 6-5 walk-off win.
 
The offense continued in the second game.  Gonzalez opened the action and came around to score on a ground ball by Graft.  They poured it on in the third, scoring four times.  Araiza started the scoring with an RBI-double to plate Gonzalez.  Julia Bumford lifted a bases loaded sac fly for another run and put the Falcons in front after the Pioneers had scored two to take the lead.  Melayna Lopez doubled home a pair to complete the four-run rally.
 
The offense didn't stop in the fourth.  Aubree Beggs singled and moved to third on a double by Gonzalez to chase the Pioneer starter.  Martinez brought home a run on a shallow single to left and moved to second on the throw.  Araiza brought home Gonzalez on an infield single and Martinez then scored on a ground ball by Graft.  Bumford put an exclamation point on the inning with an RBI-triple into the right field corner for the 9-2 lead. 

After starting pitcher Cynthia Ng sent the Pioneers down 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth, the offense put two on.  With two outs in the inning, Martinez finished things off with a single to score Evelyn Duran and cap off the 10-2 win.
 
Gonzalez and Martinez had huge days at the top of the order combining for 10 hits, seven runs, and three RBI.  Araiza had four hits and three RBI on the day.  Graft and Lopez each had a pair of RBI.  Trahan picked up her sixth win in a relief appearance in the first game while Ng moved to 5-1 in game two.
 
The Falcons have a tough test next weekend as they travel to No. 1 UT Tyler on Friday before taking on No. 23 Texas A&M – Commerce on Sunday.  Download the UTPB Athletics App to follow the team all season long.