Incoming weather on Saturday moved up the start of the Texoma Health Winter Blast in Denison for all their participants, which included the No. 22 Temple College softball team.
On Thursday, the Leopards traveled to Denison to take on No. 21 Rose State College and Dodge City Community College at Texoma Health Foundation Park.
Two errors led to three unearned runs that spoiled Izzy Garcia's 10-strikeout performance against Rose State, as the Raiders squeaked by Temple in the first game, 4-3.
Reagan Wade's two-run single gave Rose a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The hit was set up by an error and hit batter.
The Raiders extended their lead in the bottom of the third when Wade singled home Madalynn Belle McFarland.
The Leopards reached the scoreboard in the top of the fourth when Reese Cottrell drilled a one-out, full-count pitch over the left field fence.
Temple tied the game in the top of the sixth. With two on and two outs, Jasmine Benavidez singled home courtesy runner Maycee Griffin. Myah Starks followed with a double past third base to score Angie DeLeon and pull the Leopards even with the Raiders.
Trinity Baker singled to lead off Rose's portion of the sixth inning. With two outs, Baker scored on an error to give the Raiders a 4-3 lead.
The Leopards were retired in order in the top of the seventh to end the game.
Cottrell, DeLeon, Benavidez, and Starks collected the four Temple hits. Cottrell and Maddi Durnell drew the lone two walks.
Garcia pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowed four runs (one earned) on four hits, struck out ten, hit one batter, and walked one. Cottrell struck out the lone batter that she faced in the sixth.
Wade had two hits and three RBI to lead RSC.
Kaysie Gallope tossed 5 2/3 innings for the Raiders, allowed three runs on three hits, struck out five, walked two, and hit a batter. Baker pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief and allowed one hit.
After a 30-minute rest, the Leopards faced off against the Dodge City Conquistadors.
The Leopards led the entirety of the game, getting good play from the offense, defense and pitching in an 8-1 win over the Conquistadors.
Following a one-out double by Cottrell and DeLeon hit-by-pitch in the top of the first, and a double-steal, Benavidez drilled a 1-1 offering by DCCC starting pitcher Karli George over the left field fence to give Temple an early 3-0 lead.
DCCC answered with a Avery McCloskey double in the bottom of the first.
Marli Kennedy's two-out double in the top of the third scored Durnell to reset the lead to three runs.
Cottrell belted a two-run homer of the centerfield fence with two outs in the top of the sixth. KyLeigh Cambiano added an RBI single three batters later to increase the advantage to 7-1.
Starks blasted the first pitch of the seventh inning over the left field fence to get the Leopards on the board again.
Cottrell had three hits, and Kennedy, Starks, and Dudeczka each had to lead Temple's 12-hit attack. Benavidez drove home three runs and Cottrell added two.
Dalanee Ekster got the start for Temple. She pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowed a run on three hits and three walks before giving way to Cottrell. In relief, Cottrell pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowed no runs on two hits, struck out five and walked one.
George took the loss in the circle for DCCC
The Leopards return to Texoma Health Foundation Park on Friday, as they will face Eastern Oklahoma State College at 11:15 am and Division II No. 18 Cowley County Community College at 1:30 pm.