LAWTON – The Cameron University softball team faced two tough losses today in its doubleheader against Lone Star Conference rival Tarleton State. The TexAnns, who are ranked first in conference competition, took the first contest 6-1 and the second 6-3.

 TSU’s Katie Welborn got things started in the first game by hammering a nasty homerun well-over the centerfield fence, permitting the Texas squad to add one run in the first frame. The TexAnns would tack on four more runs in the top of the third, an inning which saw three singles, a double and a homer. TSU’s sixth and final run came in the fifth inning when Abigail Tammen homered to left field.

The Aggie women earned their only run in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs on the scoreboard, CU junior Drew Wright hit a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Tiffany Freeman to score. However, the inning would quickly come to an end, letting the TexAnns come away with the victory.

The Black and Gold were presented with several opportunities to add runs throughout the game, as the women had runners in scoring position in both the second and fourth innings, but were unable to bring them in.

Things continued to favor TSU in the second game. The TexAnns kicked the contest off by scoring some three runs in the first inning on three hits and one Aggie error, stranding three runners on base. The Texas team added another run in the fifth when Apache, Okla. native Samantha Swanda hit a home run to centerfield.

CU would not have an answer for the TexAnns until the sixth inning. Shortstop Misty Dooley came home from second base on a double to right center from Leslie Martini. Tara Martini then homered over the centerfield fence, which put two more runs on the board for the Black and Gold.

Though the Aggies were within striking distance of TSU, the women were unable to hold their ground and the TexAnns scored two additional runs in the top of the seventh. CU was shutout in the bottom of the final inning, resulting in TSU clinching the 6-3 win.

Cameron softball coach Beth Watson was disappointed with her team’s outcome, but acknowledged skill of their counterparts.

“Obviously I wish we would have done better, but Tarleton is first in our conference, so clearly they are a tough team to beat,” Watson said. “Right now we are just focusing on tomorrow. We want to come out with more intensity than we did today and get a win in the final game of the series.”

The two teams will square off again at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Cameron Field.