By Alan Wiederhold
HT Athletic Communications
AUSTIN – Huston-Tillotson University's softball team took sole possession of first place in the HBCU Athletic Conference after defeating Rust College (Miss.) 16-0 in five innings to complete a weekend series sweep.
In front of one of their largest crowds this season that also included several of the HT's incoming softball recruits for 2027, freshman Alexis Gaona knocked in four RBIs and was one of three Rams with three hits Sunday as the Rams won their fifth consecutive conference game. The Rams (8-17) improved to 8-1 in league play, one game ahead of Stillman (Ala.).
Kieana Cruz and Alayali Alaniz also collected three hits and one RBI apiece Sunday. Cruz scored three times in the game, while Alaniz crossed the plate twice.
Madison Stimpson and Denae Hernandez each had two RBIs in the game. Stimpson knocked a two-RBI single in HT's eight-run second inning. Gaona also had two RBIs in the inning, bookending HT's scoring with RBI singles that opened and closed the frame.
In the circle, Alexis Tamez struck out four batters and scattered four hits while not issuing any walks to Rust hitters. The win was her second five-inning shutout in as many days, as she also accomplished the feat in Saturday's opener.
Every HT starter picked up at least one hit at the plate in Sunday's game. The Rams lead the HBCU Athletic Conference in batting average in league games, having hit .437 in their first nine conference contests. HT's .303 overall batting average ranks third in the league.
After opening conference play with three consecutive home series, the Rams will hit the road for the next four, including spending their next two weekends in Alabama. The Rams visit Oakwood (7-7, 3-3 HBCUAC) for their next series.
Located in Huntsville, Ala., Oakwood (Ala.) is the nation's only historically black university affiliated with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. The Rams and Ambassadors will open their series with a single game in the evening of Saturday, March 21, at 7 p.m. The teams will then conclude the series with a doubleheader the next day beginning at noon.
– HT –
