Last Friday the Washburn Lady Blues softball team won a pair of games as it competed in the West Texas A&M Classic played in Amarillo, Texas. Washburn defeated Oklahoma Panhandle State 5-0, and then came from behind to defeat Southeastern Oklahoma State 4-3, advancing to the championship bracket. However, the games on Saturday were postponed due to bad weather.

Against Oklahoma Panhandle State in the first game, Nichole Perkuhn, Washburn freshman pitcher, matched up against her cousin, Topeka native Rachel Hughes. Perkuhn got the better of Hughes throwing the first complete-game shutout of her career, allowing three hits over seven innings, while striking out seven batters to bring her record to 2-0 on the season.

The sixth inning was key for the Lady Blues, scoring three runs to take a 4-0 lead. Mandy Tarbutton, Lady Blues junior outfielder, was 2 for 4 with an RBI, and Tish Williams, redshirt freshman infielder, was 2 for 3 with an RBI.

In the second game, the Lady Blues put together a two-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat Southeastern Oklahoma State 4-3. Tarbutton’s triple drove in junior Malarie Fellers for the winning run. Junior pitcher Kelly Swygert picked up the win, allowing three runs and nine hits over seven innings.

When the tournament resumes, Washburn will face Northeast Oklahoma in the gold bracket semifinals.