Softball wraps up weekend with 11-3 run-rule victory over Otero

The Odessa College softball team ended the Permian Basin Invitational on a high note, beating Otero College 11-3 on the run rule after six innings, Saturday afternoon at Wranglers Field.

The Lady Wranglers (2-6) responded from an early two-run deficit from the top of the first inning by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first before adding another run in the bottom of the second to take a two-run lead.

After the Rattlers (6-3) got a run back in the fifth, Odessa College exploded with seven runs in the sixth to bring the game to an early conclusion after Madison Zaccardo's three-run homer sealed the deal.

"We had a nice conversation as a team," Odessa College head coach Jeff Jackson said. "We sat down and talked about some things where we needed to be better in a hurry. There are some things that are long term but there are other things that we need to be better at now.

"They responded well to everything we hit on. The result showed."

Jade Laird had three runs and three hits for the Lady Wranglers while Cami Deanda had two runs and two hits with an RBI.

Illy Cisneros and Zaccardo each had three RBIs.

The Rattlers got off to a quick start with Hannah Gates getting on base before a home run to left field by Brandy Trengove made it 2-0.

Odessa College responded with runs by Laird and Cami Deanda on a double by Cisneros to tie the game up in the bottom of the first. Morgyn Fulgham then brought home Cisneros with a single for a 3-2 advantage.

Laird scored off a double by Cisneros in the bottom of the second inning and the Lady Wranglers had doubled their advantage.

A run by Alaina Sayler for the Rattlers made it a one-run game in the top of the fifth as she scored on a defensive error by the Lady Wranglers.

But Odessa College's seven-run burst in the sixth was enough for the Lady Wranglers to clinch their second win of the year.

Sierra Whipple was the winning pitcher for Odessa College, going all six innings, giving up five hits and three runs with two errors and had four strikeouts. She moved to 1-3 for the year.

"We've been bad about giving up hits in the first inning and what we tell them is that it's ok if we give up some runs, we just have to minimize the damage," Jackson said. "I thought we did a good job of calming down after that top of the first.

"We did an awesome job of responding right back. That's what we needed to do."

Melissa Gellermann was the losing pitcher for the Rattlers, giving up 12 hits and 11 runs from her complete game effort.

Trengove went 2 for 3 with two runs and two RBIs to lead Otero Junior College.

ARTICLE BY: MICHAEL BAUER: ODESSA AMERICAN
PHOTO BY: TONY VENGAS: ODESSA AMERICAN