LAREDO, Texas (Softball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (5-5, 0-3 LSC) gets back to .500 after sweeping Texas A&M International University (5-11) 6-4 and 4-1 in Tuesday afternoon's twin bill.

Victoria Schoonard-Saborio was hot at the dish today, leading the team with a .857 batting average and .875 on-base percentage. The California native went a perfect 4-of-4 with two ribbies in the first game of the doubleheader, and concluded the day 2-of-3 in game two. Lindsey Angelico and Alexei Gonzalez batted .600 in the series to combine for three RBI's and Randa Hatter was an even .500 at the plate with two homers in the first game alone. She led the club with three runs batted in. Hatter also had a day on the rubber to pick up her second win of the season. The true freshman had a 2.25 ERA and held opponent batters to a .200 batting average in game two. Breanna Smith pitched her third complete game of the year, ending the first game with a 2.57 ERA with three put outs.

Haley Boyett, Lauren Oatman, Rachael Longoria and Roxy Chapa each recorded a hit in the series, bringing the team total to 21. Chapa was a beast defensively at the backstop position where she registered 11 put outs—two behind first baseman Schoonard-Saborio.  

Game 1
Although the Dustdevils put a run on the board in the bottom of the opening inning to lead 1-0, Hatter responded for the Javs with her first collegiate solo shot to tie the game. However, in the next half inning, Sara Caterson tripled to plate Erika Sanchez who reached on an fielding error, advancing to second base. The Dustdevils would lead 2-1 for the next three innings.

Facing two outs at the top of the sixth inning, Schoonard-Saborio singled to left center and Hatter showcased her power by sending the ball over center field for her second long ball of the game. TAMUK kept rolling in the seventh inning by scoring three more runs to take a commanding 6-2 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. International mustard two runs in its final stanza, but a ground out to the pitcher ended the rally attempt as Kingsville sealed the 6-4 victory. 

Smith improves to 2-2 this year in the circle after tossing her third complete game of the season. Smith logged three strikeouts in seven innings pitched in the win and Caterson (2-1) picked up her first loss this season after relinquishing six runs on eight hits in six innings. 

Game 2
The Hogs bats stayed alive to begin the latter game after scoring four runs on seven hits through three innings. The Javs concluded the game with 12 hits for a new season-high. In the top of the second inning, the Blue and Gold hit three consecutive singles before Angelico connected for the fourth that crossed Oatman for an early 1-0 lead. In the next inning, Chapa and Schoonard-Saborio singled followed by a walk for Hatter to load the bases with no outs. Gonzalez brought two of the runners home with her single to left field and moments later a sac bunt from Sydney Andrews scored pinch runner Arabella Acosta-Cantu to give the Javelinas a 4-0 lead.

The remainder of the came down to a pitchers dual where Hatter (2-2) gave up one run in the bottom of the fourth. The freshman pitcher finished with three K's in four innings in the win, while Carlie Clark (0-1) was credited the save after dealing two strikeouts in three innings. Delainy Thompson threw seven innings in the loss where she gave up 12 hits, walked five batters and threw four strikeouts.

Texas A&M-Kingsville will play their series home opener this weekend against Lone Star Conference opponent, Midwestern State University. The series will begin Friday, February 24th at 5 p.m. before finishing the series the following day in a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.

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