KINGSVILLE, Texas (Softball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (4-3) concludes its home stand Feb. 16 with a doubleheader against Huston-Tillotson University (1-1) at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field before playing its final nonconference doubleheader at St. Edward's University (5-5) Wednesday.
The Javelinas began their season Tuesday and followed with a 4-1 record in the Emerald Beach Hotel Javelina Invitational.
Leading OffHaley Boyett leads the team in hitting, batting .478 with 11 hits and three stolen bases from the leadoff spot. The center fielder sets the tone for the Javelina offense that features three others over the .300 clip, including
Victoria Schoonard-Saborio, who hit .421 with two doubles, a triple, home run and eight RBI.
Lauren Oatman and
Karri Smith have three RBI apiece and a .333 batting average.
In the circle,
Carlie Clark (2-1) leads the club with two wins in 17.2 innings and the senior right-hander is limiting opponents to .212 at the plate. Clark (2.77 ERA), Smith (1-0, 3.71 ERA) and
Sarah Gilbert (1-2, 4.20 ERA, one save) have each tossed a complete game.
Tale of the TapeLast season, the Javelinas run-ruled the Rams in both games to improve to 6-0 against Huston-Tillotson.
OpenersThe Javelinas are now 8-4 when opening the season at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field.
Clutch in the PinchComing in to pinch hit is one of the toughest things to do and
Michaela Huebotter gave the fans a treat as she blasted a solo shot off a palm tree in Sunday's game versus St. Edward's. The home run was TAMUK's third of the season.
Young GunsSix of the 10 regulars for the Javelinas are underclassmen – freshmen
Lindsey Angelico, Schoonard-Saborio,
Roxy Chapa and
Lauren Oatman and sophomores Boyett and
Rachael Longoria. Gilbert is a redshirt sophomore and in her first season at Kingsville after transferring from Alabama Southern Community College. The veteran leadership comes in the form of Smith (senior) and Clark (junior) along with first base
Ariana Munoz and second base
Corinne Brassell, who are both seniors on the right side of the Javelina defense.
Scouting the RamsHuston-Tillotson is 1-1 in 2016 after hitting .348 in its first two games of the season. Victoria De Leon is batting .667 and Rachael Rodriguez and Crystal Castillo picked up home runs in the season opening series. In the circle, Castillo is 1-1 with 18 strikeouts and a complete game in 11.0 innings.
Scouting the HilltoppersThe Javelinas fell to the Hilltoppers, 6-4, in the final game of the Emerald Beach Hotel Javelina Invitational.
In the game, Huebotter blasted a solo shot and Clark came out of the 'pen to toss 5.0 quality innings. Olivia Burdick (2-1) threw a complete game for SEU.
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