PORTALES, NEW MEXICO – Eastern New Mexico used a four-run sixth inning to put away visiting Texas A&M-Kingsville on Thursday at Zia Field, 5-0 in Lone Star Conference softball action.

The Javelinas (16-22, 4-12) took five walks in the first three innings, but were unable to put any runs on the board. The Zias (10-28, 2-14) made them pay in the fourth inning when Aurelia Sandoval and Josette Aguirre hit back-to-back doubles with one out to take a 1-0 lead.

Finally, in the sixth inning the Zias put the game out of reach. First, Elizabeth Velasquez cracked a two-run homer and then Katie Ramsay followed with a solo shot on the very next pitch. They would tack on another run in the inning and it would prove to be more than enough run support for Amy Smith.

Smith improved to 6-14 on the season with the three-hit shutout. She walked six and struck out five. Lauren Denney (Alvin/Alvin HS) was handed the loss for the Javelinas.

The two teams are back in action on Friday at 3 p.m. for a doubleheader.
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