THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State junior Abbie Lancaster matched Lone Star Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year Brandy Marlett pitch for pitch, but the offense never got going in a 3-1 extra inning loss to No. 10-ranked Angelo State Saturday at Mustangs Park.
 
Outside of one pitch in the fourth inning, Lancaster kept the Rambelles off the board in regulation. The Idabell, Okla. native allowed three runs on six hits with five walks and three strikeouts over eight innings, but was tagged with the hard-luck loss to move to 3-7 on the year.
 
Freshman shortstop Caycee Griffin logged the lone multi-hit performance for the Mustangs, going 2-for-3 with an RBI double. Sophomore outfielder Lauren Lindgren drew a season-high three walks as MSU stranded 10 runners on base.
 
After a leadoff home run from ASU's Taegan Kirk in the top of the fourth, the Maroon and Gold rallied to plate the equalizer in the bottom of the frame. Freshman outfielder Marley Eller lined a one-out single down the right field line and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Senior third baseman Taylor Brintzenhoff drew a walk before Griffin smashed a double into the left-center alley to score Eller. With two runners in scoring position, sophomore outfielder Tucker Caraway smoked a line drive that ASU third baseman Mykayla Stroud caught after the ball ricocheted off her glove.
 
Still tied at one, Lancaster and the MSU defense kept the game tied in the top of the seventh. With two runners in scoring position, Lancaster induced a lazy fly ball to left to dance out of trouble.
 
The Mustangs had a golden opportunity to walk off as winners in the bottom of the seventh. Griffin led off the inning by pulling a single through the left-side of the infield and moved into scoring position when Caraway was hit by Marlett's offering, chasing the right-hander from the game. Sophomore outfielder Kelsey Eropkin dropped down a sacrifice bunt, moving both runners up 60-feet before an intentional walk to Lindgren loaded the bases.
 
With one out, senior catcher Amanda Thomas hit a line drive to short that appeared to be caught and then dropped. As the runners were frozen between the bags, the Rambelles turned a double play, going home and then to third to keep the game tied.
 
In the top of the eighth, ASU broke the tie after a bases-loaded walk to Brooke Mangold. Madison Greenwell followed with a sacrifice fly to right for an insurance run.
 
Midwestern State (13-19, 7-17 LSC) brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the eighth as junior first baseman Samantha Loos worked a leadoff walk. A pair of fielder's choice plays and a groundout ended the Mustangs chance at the upset.
 
GAME NOTES
- Midwestern State matched a season-high with five walks, including three from sophomore outfielder Lauren Lindgren.
- The Mustangs fall to 0-2 in extra inning affairs this season, also suffering a 2-1 setback to Texas A&M-Kingsville in 10 innings on Feb. 24.
- Junior pitcher Abbie Lancaster recorded the longest outing by an MSU pitcher this season, tossing all eight innings.
- Freshman shortstop Caycee Griffin notched her seventh multi-hit game of the season, going 2-for-3 with an RBI double.
 
UP NEXT
Midwestern State is back on the diamond Saturday against Texas Woman's. First pitch in the series is slated for noon in Denton.