Washburn top Zias for third in WT tourney

CANYON, Texas — Washburn rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning Saturday to top Eastern New Mexico University 7-4 in the third-place game of the four-team Lady Buff Invitational softball tournament, hosted by West Texas A&M.

First baseman Alex Zordel, who homered twice in a 7-5 loss to the Zias earlier Saturday in the round-robin portion of the event, put the Lady Blues (6-8) in front with a two-run shot to key the sixth-inning eruption.

The Zias (6-14) overcame a 2-0 deficit with a four-run fifth inning, highlighted by run-scoring singles from Michelle Anderson, Kristen Cruickshank and Jessica Childers.

Kelsie Novotny (1-1) got the win with two shutout innings in relief, while ENMU senior Kimberly Crouse (2-6) worked 4 1/2 innings in relief and took the loss.

West Texas A&M won the tournament with a 9-1 rout of Central Oklahoma in the championship game.