Box Score WICHITA FALLS, Texas – A pair of 5-run innings by top-ranked West Texas A&M was too much for the Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team to overcome as it opened play in the Lone Star Conference Showcase with a 12-4 setback at Mustangs Park on Thursday.

With the loss, Kingsville moves to 6-19 overall and 1-6 in the LSC. The Lady Buffs are 24-2 overall and 5-2 in the conference.

The Javelinas fell behind in the bottom of the first inning as WT crossed the plate five times. The Lady Buffs extended its lead to 10-0 with five more runs in the fourth.

Kingsville would get on the board with three runs in the top of the fifth. Bailey Offill singled to start the frame and went to second as Jaeleen Castro walked. After Castro was out at second when Adela Gomez hit into a fielder's choice, Valerie Ramirez launched a 3-run home run to left.

The home run was the second of the year for Ramirez, who leads the team with 14 runs batted in.

The Javelinas pulled to within 10-4 in the top of the sixth. With one away, Erica Graham walked and went to second on a 2-out single by Offill. Graham raced home on a single through the left side of the infield by Castro.

West Texas ended the game with two runs on a double by Callie Gerdes in the bottom of the sixth.
Kat Tapley suffered the loss for Kingsville falling to 1-3. Tapley walked the first three hitters of the game and then hit a batter before leaving without recording an out. WT's Tori Bayer claimed the win to remain unbeaten at 6-0.

The Hoggies had seven hits on the afternoon matching the Lady Buffs. Ramirez, Offill and Castro each had two hits. Tyler Wilkinson led WT with three hits.

Kingsville will play twice on Friday against familiar opponents. The Javelinas face Tarleton at 1:30 p.m. after going 1-2 at Hubert Field against the TexAnns over the weekend. Texas Woman's is next up for Kingsville at 6:30 p.m. TWU won all three games the opening week of LSC play.