DENTON, Texas (Softball) – Karri Smith went the distance in game one for the seventh time this season and 28
th time in her two-year Javelina career, tying the all-time games finished mark in Texas A&M University-Kingsville history. Unfortunately, the Javelinas could not salvage a series split as Texas Woman's University (28-16, 16-8 LSC) defeated the Javelinas (18-27, 7-17 LSC), 4-2, in game one, and 13-12 in game two Saturday at Pioneer Field.
The senior right-hander struck out two in 6.0 innings of work in game one but was tagged with the loss in both Lone Star Conference contests Saturday.
The Javelinas registered three home runs, highlighted by
Rachael Longoria's grand slam in game two.
Victoria Schoonard-Saborio blasted her sixth home run of the season in game one and
Haley Boyett hit her first tater in game two to extend her reached base safely streak to 13 games.
In the weekend series, Boyett finished with four RBI and a .400 batting average.
Roxy Chapa and Schoonard-Saborio each had averages of .333 at the plate.
Game OneSchoonard-Saborio went 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run in the 4-2 setback.
Alexei Gonzalez and Boyett each finished with base knocks as well.
Smith picked up the L in the game after giving up four runs – three earned – in 6.0 innings of work. Tori Bice (16-9) went the distance for the Pioneers to earn the victory, allowing two runs in 7.0 innings.
Texas Woman's took an early 3-0 lead after one run in the opening frame and two in the third.
The Pioneers final run came in the fifth inning but TAMUK struck back in the seventh with two runs. However, the rally fell just short as TWU took game one 4-2. After a leadoff walk to
Lindsey Angelico, the Pioneers were able to secure two outs. Schoonard-Saborio stepped up to the plate and launched a two-run shot to opposite field to make it a 4-2 ballgame. Bice regrouped and took game one 4-2.
Game TwoThe Javelinas exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning to take a 9-2 lead and after Texas Woman's cut it to 9-6, the Hogs extended the cushion to six in the fifth. However, the Pioneers scored seven in the bottom of the sixth to take the final game, 13-12.
Highlighted by Longoria's grand slam, the seven-run fourth untied a 2-2 ballgame in favor of Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Hutto, Texas native finished 2-for-4 with four RBI. Boyett was 1-for-1 from the leadoff spot, reaching base safely in all of her plate appearances with a home run and three walks. The center fielder capped the series off with three runs scored, four ribbies and a stolen base. Chapa was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and
Myrissa Sanchez added two runs.
Carlie Clark received the nod in the circle for the Javelinas and picked up the no-decision after going 1.2 innings. Smith was charged with the loss while TWU's Katie Hickey improved to 3-1 after tossing the final 2.0 innings.
Kingsville started things off with two runs in the leadoff inning as Boyett began the second game with a walk. The sophomore scored on Chapa's double and Chapa scored on a rundown, giving the Javelinas a 2-0 lead.
Texas Woman's answered with a run in the bottom of the first and tied it up at 2-2 with a run in the second.
After a scoreless third, Texas A&M-Kingsville posted a huge fourth inning, scoring seven runs on five hits. Back-to-back singles by Gonzalez and
Sarah Gilbert began the frame and consecutive bunts by Angelico (RBI; suicide squeeze) and Sanchez gave the Hogs a 3-2 lead and loaded the bases with one out. Boyett walked to keep the bases juiced and give TAMUK a two-run cushion and Schoonard-Saborio followed with a sacrifice fly for a three-run lead. After a walk to Chapa reloaded the bases, Longoria cleared them on a 0-1 pitch for her fourth home run of the season. The team's leader in batting average (.340) is third in long balls behind Chapa's nine and Schoonard-Saborio's six.
In the bottom of the fourth, Texas Woman's scored four to cut its deficit to three, but the Javelinas gave themselves a six-run lead with three runs in the fifth on Boyett's three-run shot, her first home run of the season.
The Pioneers took a one-run lead following a seven-run sixth to head into the final inning with a 13-12 advantage. That was the final as TAMUK fell to TWU 13-12 in game two.
The Javelinas return to Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field for six games next week, beginning with St. Mary's University on Tuesday.
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