ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Sophomore Matisen Onofrei (Mesa, Ariz.) and junior Claire Chernosky (Sugar Land, Texas) both homered and drove in four runs to help power the No. 2 Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team past the Christian Brothers Lady Bucs, 6-2, and the Henderson State Reddies, 9-0, on Sunday afternoon at the McGhee-Hawkins Invitational at Dee White Field in Arkadelphia, Ark.
These two victories put the Javelinas' record at 9-1 through the season's first two weekends.
"Our pitching and defense were really good today," said coach Craig Nicholson. "We stranded some runners early in game one, but then were able to have some good at-bats with runners in scoring position late in both games."
TAMUK vs. Christian Brothers
Onofrei got her team on the board first, with a two-run homer to center in the top of the first, but CBU would respond with a pair in the second to tie the score.
TAMUK quickly moved back in front, using a single and two walks to load the bases in the third before sophomore Amber Reyes (Edinburg, Texas) crossed the plate on a fielder's choice. In the fourth, Reyes scored another run, this time singling, stealing second and coming across on a grounder through the right side by junior Loren Kelly (Rockport, Texas).
Insurance was provided in the sixth when sophomore Jory Cervantes (Pflugerville, Texas) lined a two-run single to center, but senior Breanna Smith (San Antonio, Texas) already had more than enough run support. She gave up only two hits after the second inning and didn't allow a runner past second base. Smith wrapped up her fourth win of the year with a perfect last inning, throwing out the last hitter herself.
TAMUK vs. Henderson State
Neither offense could get on the scoreboard through the first four innings, as sophomore Saidi Castillo (Kingsville, Texas) traded zeroes with HSU's Mallory Brewer. The Reddies put a runner on third with one out in the first inning before consecutive punch-outs from Castillo ended the threat. TAMUK had runners in scoring position in the second, third and fourth frames, only to be turned away each time.
The Blue and Gold finally broke through in the fifth, using two singles and a walk to pack the sacks with one out. Junior Anastasia Leibas (Del Valle, Texas) blooped a two-run hit into right to break the ice and Onofrei made it 3-0 with a double to send sophomore Yvonne Castillo (Leander, Texas) to the plate. A Cervantes groundout scored Sydney Andrews (Belton, Texas) with the inning's final run.
In the seventh, the Javs blew open the game. Kelly started the rally with a single and a stolen base and she counted her team's fifth run by coming across on an error. The visitors then loaded the bases again to bring up Chernosky. The junior blasted the first pitch of the at-bat over the wall in right-center for her first career grand slam.
In the circle, Castillo continued to stifle the HSU lineup and also received help from her defense, including Onofrei, who threw out two runners attempting to steal second. Castillo allowed only four hits, all of them singles, and walked just one while piling up six strikeouts and earning her third win.
The Javelinas' next road trip takes them to Tucson, Ariz., where they'll spend three days, starting on Friday with a 10 a.m. matchup with Western Oregon and a 12:30 p.m. meeting with Dixie State. Stay current with Javelina softball throughout the 2020 season by following @TAMUKSB on Twitter, @JavelinaSports on Twitter and Instagram, like Javelina Sports on Facebook and subscribe to the Javelina Athletics YouTube Channel. Watch your Javelinas live today on the Javelina Sports Network sponsored by Mendoza's Pharmacy.
