ODESSA, Texas (April 24, 2026) – A one-hit shutout by Jessica Cantrell and a five-RBI game for Kaylee Moses helped The University of Texas Permian Basin softball team win game one vs. Midwestern State University 8-0 in six innings and tie the program record for most Lone Star Conference wins in a single season. Then in game number two, the record fell as UTPB registered six consecutive hits in the middle of a five-run third inning while Laila Vasquez tossed her second shutout of the season, helping lead the Falcons to a 7-0 victory.

UTPB improves to 18-25 overall and 9-23 in the LSC, breaking the previous program record of eight LSC wins set in 2022. In addition, the Falcons' 18 overall wins are tied for the second-most in a single season in program history, while their 16 Division II wins are the most.

Overall, UTPB has won at least one game in five straight series, and has won six of its last nine games.

In addition to sweeping an LSC opponent for the first time this season, it was the Falcons' first time earning back-to-back shutouts in LSC action in program history (joined the LSC starting in the 2017 season).

Lastly, game one vs. MSU was UTPB's first run-rule win in LSC play since March 6, 2022, vs. Texas Woman's University, a 10-2 win in five innings.
 
Game 1 (UTPB 8, MSU 0):

• Cantrell (12-8) needed just nine pitches for a 1-2-3 top of the first inning, and then Keri Sanford battled back from down 0-2 to draw a leadoff walk in the bottom of the first.
• After clearing the bases with a three-run double early on in UTPB's game-one win last weekend at St. Edward's University, Moses again had the biggest hit in the early going for the Falcons, coming up again with the bases loaded and delivering a clutch two-out, two-run single that just dropped in to left center field to cap a three-run bottom of the first inning. It was the only hit of the first inning for the Falcons.
• UTPB's three-run first inning came after a fielding error at shortstop extended the inning with two outs and allowed the first run of the game to score, and then another fielding error at short again kept the inning going in the bottom of the second and helped UTPB load the bases with two outs for the second inning in a row.
• Kelsey Valo was first-pitch swinging, sending a two-run single up the middle, and then with the bases loaded for the second time in the inning, Moses got her second RBI-hit with a single to center field to wrap up a three-run inning for the Falcons for the second inning in a row.
• Meanwhile, Cantrell was nine-up, nine-down through three perfect innings, getting a lot of soft contact to go along with two strikeouts, but a bunt single to lead off the top of the fourth inning was the Mustangs' lone baserunner of the game.
• Moses and UTPB later walked it off in the bottom of the sixth as she sent a two-out, two-run double down the left field line, scoring Amathyst Gonzalez from second base and pinch runner Ilyssa Foisy all the way from first base for the final run.
• Moses (5 RBI's, 3 RBI-hits) and Valo were both 3-for-5, combining to record all eight RBI's in the game for the Falcons.
• UTPB collected 11 hits and three doubles.
• Cantrell ended the game just as she started it, with nine straight outs, finishing with a line of one hit, no runs and no walks against her. It was the 14th complete game and fourth shutout of her sophomore campaign. 13 of her 18 outs recorded were through the air.

 
Game 2 (UTPB 7, MSU 0):

• Vasquez (2-4) worked around a leadoff double down the left field line in the top of the first, started a 1-6-3 double play to erase a leadoff baserunner in the top of the second, and then got a groundout to shortstop to strand two runners in scoring position in the top of the third.
• The stretch of six straight hits for UTPB in the bottom of the third started with a one-out single to left field by Mia Serrato.
• After making a play at short to strand two runners in scoring position in the top of the third inning, Sanford then drove in the first run of the game in the bottom half as she smacked a first-pitch triple over the head of the left fielder to score Serrato from first base.
• The hits continued from Carlee Quintero (RBI-single), Odalys Solis (single), Gonzalez (RBI-single) and Valo (two-RBI double) as UTPB sent all nine batters to the plate and put up a five-spot in the bottom of the third.
• A leadoff walk in the top of the fourth inning for MSU was quickly erased by a bullet thrown down to second base by catcher Angelina Arriaga, and Sanford was quick applying the tag to complete the caught stealing.
• Sanford continued to showcase her strong glovework in the top of the fifth, making a nice stop on a backhand and delivering a strong throw to first for the second out before making a second straight out on a grounder toward the middle to end the inning.
• Back-to-back groundouts to Serrato helped Vasquez strand a runner on third base in the top of the sixth.
• Then in the final inning, a called strike three to end the game would leave two more runners in scoring position as seven of the Mustangs' eight runners left on base were left in scoring position.
• Vasquez allowed five hits, zero runs, two walks and three strikeouts in seven innings to pick up the record-breaking win.
• Moses added to her great day with a two-out RBI-double down the right field line to make it 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth. It was her sixth RBI of the day.
• Quintero would finish as the Falcons' offensive leader in game two with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate.
• UTPB collected nine hits including three doubles and a triple. It was the second game in a row with three doubles for the Falcons, who have hit at least two doubles in five of their last six games.

Coach's Quote:

• UTPB Head Softball Coach David Martinez spoke on his team getting its first conference sweep of the season, "This was one of those things the team has put in the work for, and we finally got over the hump that we have been striving for. I think the key for us was staying focused on fundamentals and paying attention to the details at practice throughout the week, and then today, we were able to bring it all together and stay in the present. Our timely hitting helped lead the way. Everybody up and down the lineup stepped up at the right moment and did their job. I also have to give credit to Jess and Coach Johnson. They always have a game plan going in, and this week Jess just wanted to attack the zone as fast as possible, and they went from there. In addition, that was the performance from Laila she has been waiting for. We knew it was in her, and she stuck to the plan and attacked the zone quick. We are glad she had the outing she had today, and we are looking forward to her having more performances like that."
• Coach Martinez added his thoughts about Senior Weekend, "I am proud of how we started off Senior Weekend, and I am proud of the seniors for all of the hard work they have put in to do something great this season. They have both set the standard and have raised the bar for the coming year."

 
Series Combined Statistical Leaders:

• Carlee Quintero hit 5-for-8 (.625) with a .750 slugging percentage, two runs scored, and a double.
• Kaylee Moses hit 4-for-7 (.571) with a .857 slugging percentage, two doubles and six RBI's.
• Kelsey Valo hit 4-for-6 (.667) with a .714 on-base percentage, a 1.000 slugging percentage, two doubles and five RBI's.
• Keri Sanford led the team with three runs scored.
• Jessica Cantrell tossed a one-hit shutout in six innings and Laila Vasquez stranded seven runners in scoring position in her shutout effort.

 
Next Up: UTPB remains in Odessa, Texas, for the final home series of the season on Sunday, April 26, with a Senior Day doubleheader against Lubbock Christian University set for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. The four UTPB seniors will be recognized starting at 11:20 a.m.