Five-run fourth inning lifts West Texas A&M past LIU Post in opener

SALEM, Va. -- The top-ranked Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M got four RBI from Allie Cranfill and Rita Hokianga pitched a complete game to earn an 8-1 win against LIU Post, the program's first victory in the NCAA Division II Championships. WT moved to 57-7 on the season while the Pioneers fell to 50-10.
 

DIII SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
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Game 17: Tufts captures national championship crown
Game 16: Tufts forces decisive third game
Game 15: Salisbury takes first game from Tufts
Day 4 Recap
Game 12: Tufts blanks Wis.-Whitewater to advance
Game 11: Salisbury reaches championship series
Day 3 Recap
Game 10: UW-Whitewater beats East Texas Baptist
Game 9: St. Thomas (Minn.) wins another elimination game
Day 2 Recap
Game 8: Tufts defeats Montclair State 5-2
Game 7: Salisbury blanks Wisconsin-Whitewater
Game 6: ETBU unleashes 11 runs
Game 5: St. Thomas (Minn.) slams Rochester (N.Y.)
Day 1 Recap
Game 4: Montclair State edges Trine
Game 3: Tufts knocks off East Texas Baptist
Game 2: Salisbury shuts out St. Thomas (Minn.)
Game 1: UW-Whitewater rallies past Rochester (N.Y.)
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"Really impressed with how we created runs all game long, Tyler scoring on a stolen base and overthrow in the first was key to getting the energy and offense going for sure" said WT head coach Kevin Blaskowski. "We've used the walk as a catalyst all season and I thought we did that well today, Allie came up with a big bases loaded hit in the fourth and Rita was strong in the circle. Now it's time to rest a little and get ready for a very good Armstrong Atlantic team tomorrow afternoon."
 
The Lady Buffs used their team speed on the basepaths to take the early lead. Tyler Wilkinson walked and stole second base as an errant Pioneers' throw into center field allowed the her to race to and round third base. An LIU Post bobble in the infield scored Wilkinson for the early 1-0 lead. Renee Erwin registered a walk followed by a Kaisha Dacosin RBI double to the right center field gap to give WT the early 2-0 lead.
 
The Lady Buffs broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning as they plated five runs on two hits and two Pioneers' errors. The inning was highlighted by an Allie Cranfill three-run double as WT ran their lead to 7-0.
 
The Lady Buffs added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning as Cranfill drove in her fourth run of the game with a bunt .

Hokianga moved to 26-3 on the season, giving up one run on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts in the complete-game victory.