University of North Texas
24-18
Texas A&M-Commerce
7-40
Softball Posts Two Run-Rule Wins
4/16/2024 11:40:00 PM | Softball
COMMERCE, Texas – UNT softball swept its Tuesday doubleheader at Texas A&M-Commerce with a 15-3, five-inning win in game one and a 10-0 shutout in six innings in the second game.
"The starting pitching was good," head coach Rodney DeLong said. "We also got a lot of hits which is good. I would've liked to have seen better production early with runners in scoring position, but we got it done."
The Mean Green (25-18) posted 10 or more runs in consecutive games for the first time since March 19, 2023, against UTSA. North Texas' wins over A&M-Commerce (7-41) also marked the first two run-rule victories of the season.
Third shutout win when the Mean Green have scored more than 10 runs and first since a 12-0 victory over Texas Southern on Feb. 12, 2022.
In game one, Cierra Simon featured with a career-high six RBI and fell a single short of the first cycle in program history. The junior shortstop ripped an RBI triple in the first, two-run double in the second and added a two-run home run in the fourth. She added her sixth RBI of the game in the fifth inning on a fielder's choice to shortstop.
"I feel great," Simon said. "My thought process going into today was to get the feel of swinging the bat again and that's what I did. I couldn't ask for more."
Senior Kailey Gamble matched career-high marks with two home runs and four RBI in the opening game. Tuesday marked the third two home run game of her storied career and first since Feb. 26, 2023, against Northwestern State.
Gamble also moved into first place in UNT program history in two career defensive categories, putouts and double plays turned. Last weekend, she moved into first place for career walks and accumulated two more on Tuesday.
McKenzie Wagoner (W, 10-5) recorded the win in game one with five strikeouts over four innings of work. Redshirt freshman Kayleigh Smith pitched the final inning and held the Lions scoreless on two hits and one walk.
In game two, Skylar Savage (W, 6-8) matched her season high with six strikeouts and tallied her third complete-game shutout of the season. She allowed zero runs on three hits and one walk over six innings.
Catcher Kalei Christensen led the way with three RBI in the nightcap and reached base in all four of her plate appearances. Molly Rainey and Mikayla Smith each collected two runs scored in the game, both reaching season-high marks.
UP NEXT
North Texas returns home for a showdown with No. 11 Texas A&M at Lovelace Stadium on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The game is sold out but will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wagoner, McKenzie (10-5)
L: Sanchez, J. (5-1)
Batting:
2B: Medford, Morgan 1 ; Cobb, Lexi 1 ; Simon, Cierra 1 ; Rainey, Molly 1 ; Ibarra, Kat 1
3B: Simon, Cierra 1
HR: Simon, Cierra 1 ; Gamble, Kailey 2 ; Conley, Madison 1
RBI: Cobb, Lexi 2 ; Simon, Cierra 6 ; Gamble, Kailey 4 ; Conley, Madison 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Medford, Morgan 3 ; Cobb, Lexi 3 ; Simon, Cierra 1 ; Grahmann, Emma 1 ; Gamble, Kailey 2 ; Rainey, Molly 1 ; Ibarra, Kat 1 ; Donohoe, Saleen 1 ; Moffitt, Elizabeth 1 ; Conley, Madison 1
Batting:
2B: Kuyrkendall 1
RBI: Sefe, D. 1 ; Hickey, D. 1 ; Kuyrkendall 1
SH: Hickey, D. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Pitts, T. 1 ; Anger, C. 1 ; Powell, L. 1
