Rams split doubleheader at Oakwood, stay atop HBCUAC

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Huston-Tillotson University's softball team split its HBCU Athletic Conference doubleheader Sunday at Oakwood (Ala.), giving the Rams two wins during their weekend series.

The Rams (10-18) remained tied atop the HBCUAC standings as they improved to 10-2 in league play after winning Sunday's finale 9-1. Oakwood took the Sunday opener by a score of 7-4.

HT makes another trip to Alabama to face conference co-leader Stillman (13-17, 10-2 HBCUAC) this weekend. The Rams and Tigers open the series Saturday, March 28, with a doubleheader scheduled for a 1 p.m. start. The games will be streamed to the Urban Edge Network.

Game 2: HT Rams 9, Oakwood (Ala.) 1

The Rams took an early lead with three runs in the top of the second, then scored six unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth innings to claim a run-rule victory.

Alaniz matched her production from the first game, going 3-for-4 at the plate. She collected four RBIs and scored twice in the series finale, giving her six RBIs for the day.

Freshman Kieana Cruz went 3-for-3 and scored thrice, while Kayla Guerrero went 2-for-2 at the plate and scored two runs.

Leading 3-1 going into the top of the fifth, the Rams started to pull away as Cruz was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Alaniz knocked a double that allowed Cruz to score from first, and then Alaniz crossed the plate one batter later when Denae Hernandez singled her home.

Later in the inning, Gaona's bat provided two more runs, as her single to left field scored Guerrero from third base. The hit also led to a fielding error in the outfield which allowed Hailey-Jane Holder to also cross the plate.

In the sixth, another two-RBI single from Alaniz sent Madison Stimpson and Cruz across home plate.

The Rams gave pitcher Alexis Tamez more than enough support to earn the complete-game win. Tamez struck out four batters and allowed just three hits and one walk in game two.

Allowing no earned runs Sunday afternoon, Tamez has now pitched 23 consecutive innings in day games without allowing an earned run. Tamez' streak of daytime domination began March 1 and includes three five-inning shutouts; Oakwood's unearned run in the third inning was the first run of any kind scored against Tamez in the light of day this month.

Game 1: Oakwood (Ala.) 7, HT Rams 4

The host Ambassadors jumped out to a 6-1 lead after two innings and never trailed in the game as they evened the series after HT's Saturday triumph.

The Rams cut Oakwood's lead in half with a three-run fifth inning that was highlighted by a two-RBI single from Alayali Alaniz. A sophomore from La Joya, Texas, Alaniz went 3-for-4 and scored a run in the opening game. Alexis Gaona also collected three hits in four at-bats and scored a run.

Oakwood freshman pitcher Emma Newby led the Ambassadors at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs. In the circle, she allowed only two earned runs. Marleigh Robinson was the pitcher of record for the Rams, tossing six innings and allowed five earned runs while striking out three.

– HT –