KINGSVILLE, Texas – Seven straight wins have helped move the Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team into the Lone Star Conference's first division and Craig Nicholson's Javelinas will have a chance to solidify that standing when they host the UT Permian Basin Falcons in a three-game set on Friday and Saturday at Hubert Field in Kingsville, Texas.
The series will open with game one on Friday at 6 p.m. and the remaining two will be played as a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
The Javelinas' first conference clash of the season came at home against No. 5 Angelo State and the Hoggies were the victims of a three-game sweep at the hands of the Rams. That put their record at 3-7, but Nicholson's team has used the seven games since then to jump back into the race for the conference tournament, which included the LSC's top six schools. The streak started with two wins over Texas A&M-International, but the Javs really hit their stride in Wichita Falls against Midwestern State. After squeaking out a pair of one run victories on their first day against MSU, the Hoggies flexed their muscle in the finale, an 8-0 drubbing that included two Roxy Chapa homers. After consecutive triumphs over St. Edwards, Kingsville will put its streak on the line against another conference foe.
The Falcons enter this series following a doubleheader sweep of the University of the Southwest, but they'll be searching for their first win in LSC play after dropping series against Midwestern State and Cameron. Coach Tiala Tagaloa will be attempting coax some life out of an offense that has been struggling this season. The Falcons have only reached five runs six times in 18 games. They also have the lowest on-base percentage and slugging percentage in the conference.
Despite these issues, their lineup is not without talented players, namely pitcher Maritza Rojas, who owns the sixth highest batting average in the LSC among those with at least 30 at-bats. Rojas has put together a mark of .469 and has also had hits in her last six games. She also leads the team with nine RBIs. Rojas has excelled at making contact in 2018. She has yet to draw a walk and has been struck out only twice. Four other players on the UTPB roster have averages above. 300, including Lizzie Souza at .382 and Cindy Juarez, who is hitting .303 and also leads the squad with eight walks.
The Javelinas offensive attack shares many similarities with that of their visitors. While they've had ups-and-downs, several players have remained consistent, especially during the team's recent run of success. Roxy Chapa has been the most dangerous presence in TAMUK's lineup so far this year. Her five homers are in the top 10 in the LSC and her .386 average is the highest on the roster, as are her totals of 22 hits and 40 total bases. Loren Kelly continues to excel in the lead-off spot for coach Craig Nicholson. Her BA stands at .316 and she's hit in 10 straight games. Kelly has also stolen four bases, tied for the most on team with Haley Boyett, who has exemplified the term spark-plug with 13 walks, a .475 on-base percentage and 14 runs scored.
In the circle, each school has a pair of starters with ERAs under three. TAMUK's Breanna Smith has leapt into a tie for third in the conference with seven wins, picking up a W in five consecutive appearances. Over the course of those outings, Smith has given up only five earned runs while tossing 21.2 innings for an earned run average of 1.62. Not to be outdone, teammate Sarah Gilbert is coming off a complete game win against St. Edwards and she's on a streak of 16.1 innings pitcher without giving up and earned run.
While Aubree Avila possesses UTPB's lowest ERA, Rojas has been the team's workhorse so far. She's thrown 51 innings so far this season, the LSC's eighth most, while posting a 2.88 ERA. Her best outing was also her first outing this season, as Rojas beat Chadron St. with by tossing a complete game and not allowing an earned run.
Coverage of games on both days can be found via Javelinaathletics.com and will include live video, statistics and a postgame recap. Javelina softball can be found on Twitter @TAMUKSB and fans can also like /JavelinaSports on Facebook and subscribe to the Javelina athletics YouTube channel.
