KINGSVILLE, Texas (Softball) – Karri Smith (1-0) threw a complete game in game one that was partnered with 11 hits in the win Sunday as Texas A&M University-Kingsville (4-3) split its doubleheader at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field on the final day of the Emerald Beach Hotel Invitational. The Javelinas defeated Texas A&M International University (7-8), 6-3, before falling to St. Edward's University (5-5), 6-4.
Game OneIn the third game against TAMIU this week, four hitters recorded two or more hits in the 6-3 game one victory. The dagger came in the three-run fourth inning with a two-run blast off the bat of
Victoria Schoonard-Saborio.
Haley Boyett continued her torrid start with yet another three-hit performance, going 3-for-3 with two runs from the leadoff spot. Schoonard-Saborio finished 2-for-3 with two RBI,
Roxy Chapa walked three times, and
Rachael Longoria and
Karri Smith registered two hits apiece.
Smith earned the victory in the circle after tossing her first complete game of the season after striking out three in 7.0 innings. After allowing two runs in the first inning, Smith settled down to hold the Dustdevils scoreless through the next four innings.
Kingsville responded back with two runs of its own in the bottom of the first after back-to-back leadoff hits by Boyett and
Lindsey Angelico, followed by a bases load walk moments later.
A bases loaded walk in the second gave the Javelinas a 3-2 lead and the Hogs tacked on three more runs in the fourth after Boyett, who reached on an infield single to begin the bottom half of the frame, scored on Schoonard-Saborio's first career home run, a two-run shot that extended Texas A&M-Kingsville's lead to 5-2.
Lauren Oatman's double plated Chapa for the inning's third run.
Texas A&M International scored a run in the sixth but the Javelinas took the last of three regular season meetings versus the Heartland Conference school.
Chelsea Capello went 1-for-3 with two RBI for TAMIU. Delainy Thompson (1-4) was tagged with the loss after allowing 10 hits and seven walks in 5.0 innings.
Game TwoA three-run deficit was nearly offset with the meat of the Javelina order picking up three of the four RBI and the last coming on a pinch hit solo shot off the bat of
Michaela Huebotter, but the Javelinas fell to the Hilltoppers, 6-4.
Carlie Clark came out of the 'pen with 5.0 quality innings, allowing just two hits.
Sarah Gilbert (1-2) was charged with the loss while Olivia Burdick (2-1) was credited with the victory after the complete game for SEU. Longoria picked up two RBI and Angelico scored two runs for the Javelinas.
TAMUK struck first to take a 1-0 lead in the first after Boyett walked, Angelico's infield single was followed by Schoonard-Saborio's walk to load the bases and Chapa's RBI ground out gave the Javelinas the first run of the ballgame.
SEU scored two runs in second and two in the third and Kingsville returned the favor in the third with two runs on Chapa's double and Longoria's sacrifice fly. The Hilltoppers scored two more in the fourth and Huebotter's home run in the sixth cut TAMUK's deficit to 6-4, but the Javelinas had the tying run at the plate in the seventh. An amazing play up the middle by the St. Edward's shortshop forced the out at second to end the comeback hopes for the Hogs.
The Javelinas host Houston-Tillotson Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. before Texas A&M-Kingsville heads to Austin for a doubleheader versus the Hilltoppers Wednesday.
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