STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Keyed by a nine-strikeout performance freshman Saidi Castillo (Kingsville, Texas) and a grand slam courtesy of senior Roxy Chapa (McAllen, Texas), the Javelinas secured a series victory over the No. 8 Tarleton State Texans with a 9-3 win in the opening game of a doubleheader at the TSU Softball Complex in Stephenville, Texas on Sunday afternoon. The Texans salvaged the final game of the series, taking it 4-0.
The Javelinas now own a record of 16-2 overall and are 4-2 in Lone Star Conference play. That matches the best record in program history through 18 games. The Javelinas were also 16-2 in 2005 and 2001. In addition, this represents the team's first series victory over a top 10 team since 2009, when they swept a two-game set against No. 3 St. Edward's.
"It was a good series for us," said coach Craig Nicholson. "I thought our offensive execution was very good for the first two games. We struggled to get anything going in game three."
GAME ONE
The Javs quickly grabbed the early lead in the opener, thanks in large part to freshman Amber Reyes (Edinburg, Texas). She doubled with one out and moved to third on an error. When another freshman, Veronica Chavez (Tempe, Ariz.) bounced into a fielder's choice, Reyes scampered home with the day's initial tally.
One inning later, a lead-off walk to senior Victoria Schoonard-Saborio (Elk Grove, Calif.) was followed by a Makenzie Mays (Conroe, Texas) single. After freshman Jackie De Los Santos (Kingsville, Texas) moved both runners up, sophomore Loren Kelly (Rockport, Texas) dropped an RBI single into left and promptly stole second. She's now swiped 17 bags this season without being caught.
A Reyes groundout pushed across her team's third run and freshman Jory Cervantes (Pflugerville, Texas) followed with a knock to plate Kelly to make the score 4-0.
The first run of the day for Tarleton came in their half of the second, thanks to a walk, a single and an error and they cut their deficit to one in the third. With two outs, a single brought up Karli Herron and her two-run homer put the Texans behind 4-3.
One frame later, the Javelinas blew open the game. An error and a single put two runners on and Cervantes moved both of them up with a groundout. Chavez then drew a four-pitch walk, ending pitcher Rachel Williams' day in favor of Jordan Withrow and bringing up Chapa. After fouling off the first pitch of the at-bat, she launched the 0-1 offering over the left-center field wall for her second career grand slam. Kelly crossed the plate with her team's final run in the fifth, scoring on a groundout after tripling.
In the circle, Castillo (9-1) bankrupted Tarleton's offense after the third inning. Herron's long ball was the only extra base hit she allowed all day and her nine strikeouts put her LSC-leading season total at 75. The Texans never got a player to third over the last four frames and, with two runners on in the seventh, Castillo induced a fly ball from Herron and struck out Kadyn Kirkpatrick to collect her ninth win.
GAME TWO
The second game was all about Withrow, who started and went the distance for the Texans. The LSC Preseason Pitcher of the Year permitted only five hits, all of which were singles and struck out three en route to her fourth win.
This time, it was Tarleton that put up a crooked number in the first inning. After Georgia Capell singled, Tanna Huie smacked a two-run home run to open the scoring. Three batters later, Kilpatrick, who'd also singled, scored on a hit and an error.
The pitchers spent the next four innings throwing up zeroes despite each team having opportunities. The Javelinas had a runner in scoring position in the second, fourth and sixth, but couldn't break the ice against Withrow. Herron added insurance for the home team with a solo shot in the sixth and Withrow retired the side in order in the seventh.
The A&M-Commerce Lions are next on the schedule for TAMUK and the series between these two rivals will take place on Friday and Saturday at Hubert Field, beginning with a Friday night matchup scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. To stay up-to-date with Javelina softball all season long, follow @TAMUKSB and @JavelinaSports on Twitter, @JavelinaSports on Instagram, like Javelina Sports on Facebook and visit Javelinaathletics.com.
