DURANT, OKLAHOMA – The opening round Lone Star Conference Playoff game between Texas A&M-Kingsville and #4 Southeastern Oklahoma was everything it was touted to be as LSC South Division Pitcher of the Year Courtney Rigamonti (Victoria/St. Joseph HS) squared off against LSC North Division Pitcher of the Year Marjorie Johnson. The Javelinas (32-20) came out on top 3-0 in eight innings on Friday. (box score)
Rigamonti and Johnson matched zeros with each other through the first seven innings although each team had scoring opportunities. The Hoggies put runners in scoring position in the second, fifth and sixth innings. The Savage Storm (48-10) loaded the bases in the fourth inning with one, but Rigamonti got out of the jam when she induced a pop up bunt that turned into a double play to end the inning.
Johnson dominated the Javelinas through the first seven innings allowing no hits and four walks while striking out 14.
In the top of the eighth, Jasmine Ross (Camilla, GA/Camilla HS) reached base via an error to lead off the inning. Kaycee Bryan (Splendora/Splendora HS) followed with a walk. Johnson then struck out the next two batters. With two outs, a wild pitch put runners on second and third and then Ariel Lichtenberger (Alice/Alice HS) walked to load the bases. After Johnson threw two balls to Shaun Bryan (Splendora/Splendora HS) she was removed for Jami McAdoo. On the second pitch she saw from McAdoo, Bryan hit a double to centerfield that cleared the bases.
In the bottom of the eighth, Laney Anderson led off with a single, but then Rigamonti retired the next three batters to pick up her fourth shutout and 27th win of the season. She allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven batters.
For Johnson, it was just her fourth loss of the season as she fell to 22-4. She walked six and struck out 16 in 7.2 innings.
The Javelinas will play #5 Angelo State University on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Southeastern Oklahoma Softball Complex. The Storm will play Cameron University at 1:30 p.m. If the Javelinas win their game they will advance to the LSC Regional championship game on Sunday. If they lose, they will play the winner of the Southeastern Oklahoma-Cameron game at 4 o’clock.
####
pr09169-smm
