STEPHENVILLE, Texas (Softball) – After taking the opening game of the series, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (14-13, 6-8 LSC) came up short overall against Tarleton State University (21-13, 8-7 LSC) after being swept in the doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at the Tarleton State Softball Complex.
Victoria Schoonard-Saborio batted .500 in the doubleheader and led the team with three hits and three RBIs. Alexei Gonzalez was also .500 at the plate and had a team best two runs scored. Arabella Acosta-Cantu finished the day batting .400 and belted her first home run of the season, while Rachael Longoria and Haley Boyett both hit .333 this afternoon.
The Javelinas dropped game one 10-2, led by Acosta-Cantu and Gonzalez who each went 2-for-3 at the dish for their sixth and third multiple hit games of the season, respectively. Unfortunately, the Hogs left ten runners stranded in the game which proved to be costly. The TexAnns kept their intensity for game two, defeating the Hogs in five innings, 11-3. Schoonard-Saborio and Boyett finished the game 2-for-3 while Longoria, Chapa and Breanna Smith logged a hit.
Game 1
TAMUK got the scoring started early with a leadoff home run from Acosta-Cantu in the top of the second inning. Tarleton State responded with two runs in the bottom of the third, but Acosta-Cantu—from the leadoff spot again— was the first of three singles in the fourth to load the bases. Acosta-Cantu was thrown out at home, but a RBI single from Schoonard-Saborio plated Gonzalez to knot the game at two runs apiece.
The Javelinas threatened to take the lead in the fifth with runners in scoring position, however, a failure to capitalized gave the TexAnns a window that they would climb through thanks to a two-run shot from Megan Durante in the bottom half of the inning. TSU would keep their foot on the gas and reimburse TAMUK's six-run inning from yesterday to end the game in the sixth, 10-2.
Carlie Clark (1-3) pitched 5.1 innings and threw two strikeouts, walked five and earned seven runs in the loss. After falling yesterday, Jordan Withrow (6-5) gets back over .500 with seven putouts in six innings.
Game 2
The momentum for the purple and white transitioned into game two as the home team strung together seven runs in two innings to begin the game.
The Javelinas set their rally attempt in motion in the top of the third as they loaded the basses with a single from Smith and two free passes for Gonzalez and Longoria. Schoonard-Saborio doubled to drive home Smith and Gonzalez, while Boyett followed with a single to left field that scored Longoria and cut into the TexAnn lead 7-3. Tarleton State cashed in on another big inning in the fifth frame though and scored four runs on three hits to run-rule Kingsville, 11-3.
Kayleigh Williams (4-3) got the win after just two innings of work and Jordan Withrow was credited a save. Williams struck out four batters and earned all three of the Javelina runs and Withrow put out three innings with one strikeout and one walk. Randa Hatter (3-4) picks up the loss after pitching 1.1 innings and Smith saw 3.1 innings where she registered one putout.
The Blue and Gold's road trip will continue when they matchup against #8 St. Mary's University for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 21.
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