CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M softball program made history on Wednesday morning as they were named the #1 team in the country for the first time in school history by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) in the weekly Top 25 poll, WT’s Renee Erwin was also honored by the association as the National Player of the Week after a monster week by the Lady Buffs to improve to 19-1 overall.
Erwin, a sophomore outfielder and reigning Lone Star Conference Hitter of the Week, helped her squad to a perfect 5-0 week by hitting .645 overall with three doubles, two triples, three HR’s (including a pair of grand slams) and 17 RBIs, while successfully reaching base via hit in all five contests.
In the opener against Northwest Oklahoma State on March 5, the Anna, Texas, native went 3-for-4 with a triple, a grand slam and seven RBIs as West Texas A&M crushed the Lady Rangers, 13-1 (5 inn.). She continued her prolific production into the series against Tarleton State, going 2-for-3 with a HR and three RBIs, 1-for-2 with a grand slam and four RBIs, and 2-for-4 with a double, triple and a RBI in the series’ three contests, respectively.
A nine-game winning streak that included a pair of victories over Northwestern Oklahoma State (13-1 in 5 inn., 6-3) and a three-game sweep of Tarleton State (5-4, 11-0 in 5 inn., 14-11) in Lone Star Conference action during the past week have helped WT (19-1) supplant defending national champion Valdosta State as the No. 1-ranked team in the newest NFCA Division II softball poll.
The Lady Buffs hit the road this weekend for LSC action as they head to Wichita Falls, Texas for a three game series against #19 Midwestern State at Mustangs Park. The series will start on Friday night at 7 p.m. followed by a doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon.
