KINGSVILLE, Texas (Softball) – In its final week of the regular season, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (25-23, 12-13 LSC) will host Western New Mexico University (1-44, 0-27 LSC) for a three-game series beginning Friday, April 28 at 6 p.m. at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field.

The Lone Star Conference Tournament race is tight and the Javelinas will need to sweep the Mustangs, while receiving some help with a Texas Woman's series win over A&M-Commerce to squeeze their way in. 

Doing our part should not be a daunting task as a struggling Western New Mexico club heads to town with just one win under its belt for the year and none in its inaugural season with the LSC. Mariangela Garcia leads the Mustangs with a .341 batting average and 46 hits, while adding 14 RBIs and one home run. Behind her is Lacy Granger with a .311 average and has a team-high 23 RBIs. Lacy is tied with her sister Linzy Granger (.299) with 41 hits and the senior duo combines for three home runs this season. Domi Shone (0-17, 5.98 ERA) has tallied 42 strikeouts in 114.2 innings pitched, but Lyana Waddell (1-16, 9.94 ERA) has the bullpen's only win and has totaled six complete games. Both pitchers has given up 20 home runs this season as well as Thailia O'Neill (0-11, 10.12 ERA).  

On paper, it looks like the Javelinas will feast on offense as WNMU opponents .376 average this season. Although having her 23-game reach base streak and 13-game hitting streak come to a halt, Victoria Schoonard-Saborio ranks in   the top ten of the LSC in batting average (3rd-.448), slugging percentage (10th- .697), on-base percentage (3rd- .538) and runs scored (6th- 43), hits (2nd- 65). Roxy Chapa follows with a .357 batting average and has the longest active hitting streak at nine games. Chapa paces the team with 35 RBIs and is one home run behind Schoonard-Saborio with seven on the year. Haley Boyett also has a .357 average and ties Rachael Longoria (.327) with 51 hits. Longoria has brought in 27 runners and Boyett has crossed 18. Randa Hatter completes the .300 club with a .322 average and has six long balls in her freshman season. Hatter also sees time in the circle where she posts a 5-6 record and 3.86 ERA.

Breanna Smith (10-7, 3.76 ERA) heads the clubs with 90 strikeouts in 108 innings pitched. The freshman leads the way with eight complete games, three shutouts and two saves. Sarah Gilbert (7-3) has a bullpen-low 3.45 ERA and has thrown 46 Ks in 63.1 innings, while senior Carlie Clark has sat down 58 batters in 76.1 innings. Clark will be honored Saturday for senior day before the doubleheader.

Western New Mexico leads the all-time series 3-7 but will play at Hubert Field for the first time in the program's history.

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