KINGSVILLE, Texas (Softball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (12-6, 5-4 LSC) let the sweep over the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (4-17, 2-7 LSC) slip away after succumbing to a 4-3 rally on Saturday afternoon at the UTPB Softball Field.

Victoria Schoonard-Saborio extended her hitting streak to nine after she touched all the bags for home run No. 3 of the season. Alexei Gonzalez and Lauren Oatman was also 2-of-4 at the dish, while Randa Hatter and Sydney Andrews picked up one hit. Hatter was walked once in the game and Andrews crossed home plate twice. 

Hatter (3-2) got the start but Breanna Smith (5-3) was credited the loss after giving up three runs on three hits in 4.2 innings pitched. Nevertheless, Smith was very impressive today as she fanned 11 of the 20 batters she faced for a new season-high of all Javelina pitchers. Hatter did four innings of work and logged eight putouts. Both pitchers split four wild pitches evenly, which served as the catalysts to A. Berzoza scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game.

Chelsae Faries (1-3) tossed all 8.2 innings for her first win of the 2017 season. The junior struck out seven batters and allowed one walk.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Schoonard-Saborio set the tone early with her dinger in the top of the first inning. Oatman followed her lead and drove in Andrews on her single in the next inning and Andrews trotted home in the fourth after an error by the first baseman to put the Javelinas ahead 3-0.

In the bottom frame of the fourth, the rally began after Ashlynn Williams singled to plate Faries and in the bottom of the fifth, the Falcons scored two more runs with the latter set up by a wild pitch from Smith. 

Smith put the wild ones behind her and continued to deal as did Faries. Neither pitcher game up a run over the next three innings, however, Jessica Gonzalez stepped into the batter's box in the bottom of the ninth inning and  hit a walk off single, sending Lizzie Souza home to complete the rally and steal the final game of the three-game series. 

The Blue and Gold will adventure to the state capital on Tuesday, March 7 to challenge St. Edward's University in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.

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