KINGSVILLE, Texas – The Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team (2-0) began the 2015 season and
Betsy Dean era with a sweep of Texas A&M International Wednesday afternoon. The Javelinas took game one 4-2 and came away with a 1-0 walk-off victory in the second contest at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field.
Both
Carlie Clark (1-0) and
Karri Smith (1-0) pitched complete games and did not allow an earned run. Taking the losses for the Dustdevils were Mariena Gallardo (0-1) and Delainy Thompson (0-1).
At the plate,
Loren Donaldson,
Rachael Longoria and Smith recorded two hits apiece. Smith drove in two runs while
Jaeleen Castro and
Isabel Flores each had a RBI.
Game 1After getting out of a first inning jam when TAMUI had runners on the corners with two outs,
Haley Boyett led off with a perfectly placed bunt toward third base for a single in her first collegiate at bat. Unfortunately for the Blue and Gold, she was stranded at second after swiping the base.
Loren Donaldson started the second frame off by drawing a walk. Flores followed with a single to left field and two batters later Smith ripped a single back up the middle that hit off the pitcher's and second baseman's gloves to drive home the first run of the season.
With runner's on the corners, Smith had a delay steal attempt to second and was caught in a pickle. Flores though was able to score on the play to put TAMUK up 2-0.
The Dustdevils got on the scoreboard in the fifth on a passed ball.
In the bottom of the frame Smith doubled to right center for her second RBI of the game. After
Ariel Kellogg came on to pinch run, Castro drove a 1-2 pitch down the left field line for another double that plate a run and gave the Javleinas a 4-1 advantage.
The final run of the game came in the top of the sixth on a single after two TAMUK fielding errors.
Smith led the Blue and Gold with two hits at the dish while going seven innings with two strikeouts and surrendered two unearned runs on six hits in the circle.
For the Dustdevils, six players had at least one hit. Gallardo last five frames and gave up four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Sarah Johnson struck out one in an inning of relief.
Game 2The second game of the day was a pitchers' duel as the teams combined for one hit thru the first five innings which came off the bat of Donaldson in the second.
TAMUI threatened in the top of the seventh when Brittany Mussett led off with a double. Clark struck out the next two batters and then induced a weak line drive to second.
With one out in the bottom of the frame,
Valerie Ramirez sent a 3-2 offering to center field for a single. Longoria followed with a rocket down the left field line that hit off the third baseman's mitt for a double. The Dustdevils then intentionally walked Donaldson to load the bases.
Flores fell behind 1-2 in the count but battle back to force a full count. The 10th pitch of the at bat was slightly outside for a ball and a walk-off free pass.
Clark tossed 4.1 perfect innings before allowing a walk and 5.2 innings of no-hit ball. She recorded eight strikeouts to only three hits and a walk.
On the other side, Thompson went 6.1 frames with four strikeouts and two walks. She gave up a run on three base knocks as well.
The Blue and Gold return to action on Tuesday when they make their first road trip of the season. They face off in a twin-bill with St. Edward's starting at 1:30 p.m.
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