Buffs Down Javs Late

Ariel Lichtenberger hit a home run and drove in four runs on Saturday

KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team has been known for its propensity to win games in the late innings this year, but on Saturday visiting Lone Star Conference South Division rival West Texas A&M came up with a late run to win 5-4 at Hubert Field. (box score)

The #22 Buffalos (19-8, 5-4) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead when Kimberly LeComte drove home a run with a double and Audrey Wallace brought home another run with a two-out single in the first inning.

The Javelinas (19-9, 5-4) took the lead in the second inning. Melissa St. Clair (Garden City, KS/Garden City HS) and Jasmine Ross (Camilla, GA/Camilla HS) each singled and then Ariel Lichtenberger (Alice/Alice HS) cracked a two-out three-run homer. It was her second home run of the season.

The Buffs responded in the top of the third inning. Dani Couger’s two-out double brought in two runs to make it 4-3 West Texas. The Hoggies tied the score in the bottom of the fourth inning when Lichtenberger drove in her fourth run of the game with a single.

In the seventh inning, Lecomte came through for the Buffs with a two-out single to Jessica Ruzicki with what proved to be the winning run. In the bottom half of the inning, the Javelinas put runners on first and second with one out, but were unable to score the tying run.

The Buffalos pounded out 10 hits in the ball game with LeComte, Kasey Henderson and Wallace all finishing with two hits. Shelbey Cockrell pitched three innings of scoreless relief to earn her fifth victory of the season.

The Hoggie offense was led by its numbers eight and nine batters, Ross and Lichtenberger. Ross went 2-for-3 with two runs and a stolen base while Lichtenberger finished 2-for-2 with a home run, four RBI’s and one walk. Courtney Rigamonti (Victoria/Memorial HS) pitched a complete game allowing 10 hits, five runs and three walks while striking out five in the loss.

The Javelinas are back in action on Tuesday against visiting Newman University at noon.
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