KINGSVILLE, Texas (Softball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (25-24, 12-14 LSC) was in control for majority of the game until a late sixth inning surge from Western New Mexico University (2-44,1-27 LSC) gave the underdogs a 7-5 victory on Friday evening at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field.

Rachael Longoria put the Hogs ahead in the second inning with a three-run homer and paced the team with two runs scored. Randa Hatter matched Longoria's two-hit performance and had a solo shot of her own to pad the lead in the fourth. Lauren Oatman finished with two hits as well and scored one run, while Arabella Acosta-Cantu, Roxy Chapa, Haley Boyett and Alexei Gonzalez each recorded with one hit.

Breanna Smith started the game in the circle but was relieved in the first inning by Sarah Gilbert (7-4) who was charged with the loss after she logged three strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Hatter threw the final 1.1 innings where she registered four Ks. Demi Shone (1-17) saw her first win of the season after 5.2 innings of work where she struck out three, walked three and earned one run.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Mustangs showed heart early and scored two runs in the top of the first inning. However an error in the bottom half crossed Longoria (walked) to help the Hogs trim the lead 2-1. Western put one more on the board in the second before the Javelinas began to build their lead. Longoria hit a three-run dinger to put the home team ahead 4-3 through two innings and in the fourth frame, Hatter hit a leadoff solo shot to spot the Hogs two runs.

Western New Mexico had no quit in them and caught its second wind in the sixth inning, scoring four runs on five hits to take a 7-5 lead and ultimately steal game one of the series. Mariangela Garcia drove in the first run of the inning with a RBI single to right field and Linzy Granger followed with a RBI single to tie the game. Ariana Maldonado then gave the Mustangs the lead with a two-RBI double to left field. The Javelinas had the opportunity to rally, but failed to score again and went three up and three down in the seventh inning.

The series and season will conclude in tomorrows doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Before the action starts, Carlie Clark will be honored as the lone senior of the 2017 Javelina softball team. Clark has gather 209 strikeouts, 19 wins and two no hitters in her career including one a couple of weekends ago at home against Eastern New Mexico.  

For full coverage of Texas A&M-Kingsville softball, please follow @TAMUKSB on Twitter and Instagram, like the official Facebook page of Javelina athletics (/JavelinaSports), and subscribe to the JavelinaAthletics YouTube channel.