West Texas A&M wins 2021 DII softball national championship
West Texas A&M wins DII national championship
West Texas A&M won back-to-back games in the DII softball national championship series to win the 2021 national championship. West Texas A&M took Game 2 against Biola 7-4, then took a late lead in Game 3 on Gabriella Valforte's grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning.
West Texas A&M finished the game with four runs on six hits and four walks, while pitcher Kyra Lair pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits and one earned run. Click or tap here to view the box score from Game 3.
It's the second national championship in school history after West Texas A&M won it all in 2014 over Valdosta State.
Click or tap here to view the interactive DII softball bracket.
West Texas A&M answers Biola's home run with a grand slam
Game 3 of the DII softball national championship series was scoreless for the first five innings, before Biola's Kayla Neff started the scoring with a solo home run. However, Texas A&M answered in a big way in the bottom of the sixth as Gabriella Valforte hit a grand slam to center to clear the bases and give West Texas A&M a 4-1 lead.
The rally started when Shanna McBroom singled up the middle, Erica Vessels was hit by a pitch and Alyx Cordell drew a walk to load the bases. Biola will have one more turn to bat to score at least three runs.
Biola ends scoreless drought on Kayla Neff's home run
Through the first two batters of the top of the sixth inning in Game 3 of the DII softball championship series, no runs had been scored. However, Biola catcher Kayla Neff ended that scoreless drought with a two-out home run to left field, which just made it over the fence, to give Biola a 1-0 lead. It was just Biola's third hit of the afternoon.
Game 3 scoreless through three innings
With three innings in the books of the decisive Game 3 of the DII softball championship, No. 5 seed Biola and No. 6 seed West Texas A&M are in a scoreless tie. The bottom of the third inning ended with Biola pulling off an inning-ending double play as Shanna McBroom popped out to second, with 2B doubling up Malaya Delfin at second.
West Texas A&M starting pitcher Kyra Lair has only allowed one hit through four innings, while Biola starter Paige Austin has allowed two hits through three innings with three strikeouts.
Game 3 of the DII softball championship on Tuesday
It all comes down to this. After No. 5 seed Biola and No. 6 seed West Texas A&M split the first two games of their best-of-three championship series â Biola winning Game 1 5-0 and West Texas A&M 7-4 â Game 3 is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 1.
You can watch a livestream of the game and view live stats by clicking or tapping here.
West Texas A&M won its first-ever national championship in 2014, while Biola is in pursuit of its first national title.
Click or tap here to view the DII softball interactive bracket.
FINAL: West Texas A&M 7, Biola 4
West Texas A&M used a five-run fourth inning to take control in Game 2 of the championship series. The Buffaloes defeated the Eagles, 7-4, to force a decisive Game 3.
A solo home run from Madison Johnson gave West Texas A&M a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Biola answered with two runs in the next half-inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Sydney Greeson's go-ahead three-run bomb put West Texas A&M back in front, 4-2. Shanna McBroom then tacked on a two-run homer to right field that gave the Buffaloes some breathing room.
Still, Biola made some noise in the top of the seventh. Jennifer Morinishi and Abie Nowak hit back-to-back RBI doubles to make it a 7-4 deficit. But the Eagles' comeback attempt fell short.
Game 3 is tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET.
Below is the complete box score from Game 2.
West Texas A&M
Biola
END 4TH: West Texas A&M 6, Biola 2
West Texas A&M blew the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sydney Greeson's three-run homer to center field put the Buffaloes back in front, 4-2. But they weren't finished. Shanna McBroom then launched a two-run bomb to right field and made it a 6-2 advantage.
Biola's Jennifer Morinishi came in to relieve starting pitcher Raylene Roybal and finished out the inning.
MID 3RD: Biola 2, West Texas A&M 1
END 2ND: West Texas A&M 1, Biola 0
END 1ST: Biola 0, West Texas A&M 0
FINAL: Biola 5, West Texas A&M 0
The Eagles picked up right where they left off when Game 1 was suspended on Sunday night. Biola cruised to a 5-0 victory over West Texas A&M on Monday, and grabbed a 1-0 series lead in the process.
Eagles' pitcher Paige Austin was superb. She threw a complete-game shutout and finished with six strikeouts. The Buffaloes managed just four hits against Austin.
Biola is now one win away from its first-ever national championship. Game 2 will start at 5:45 p.m. ET.
Below is the complete box score from Game 1.
Biola
West Texas A&M
