MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Freshman Natalie Rodriguez (Edinburg, Texas) homered twice and drove in four runs to help the No. 18 Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team take game one of a doubleheader against the No. 1 Southern Arkansas Muleriders, 7-5, before SAU won game two, 2-0, on Tuesday afternoon at Dawson Field in Magnolia, Ark.
TAMUK's overall record in 2021 now stands at 14-3, with three of those victories coming over teams ranked in the top 10. The Muleriders are 6-3.
"Our offense was really good in game one," said coach Craig Nicholson, "and we made pitches when we had to to get out of some trouble. In game two, both pitchers were really good and we just couldn't get anything going offensively until late in the game and they made the plays they needed to make to win. [They were] two well-played, competitive games."
GAME ONE
Both lineups got to work quickly in the first game, starting with a three-run Javelina first inning that included a sacrifice fly from junior Anastasia Leibas (Del Valle, Texas) and back-to-back RBI doubles courtesy of Rodriguez and sophomore Matisen Onofrei (Mesa, Ariz.).
In the bottom of the second, a two-run homer by Elisa Favela followed by a run scoring single off the bat of Alese Casper tied the score, but Rodriguez put TAMUK back in front with her first long ball of the day, a solo shot in the third. One inning later, sophomore Jory Cervantes (Pfugerville, Texas) sent a run-scoring single through the middle to boost the Javelina lead to 5-3.
The Muleriders mounted a comeback to even the score in the sixth, thanks to an RBI single and a sacrifice fly, but that tie wouldn't last long. With a runner on in the seventh, Rodriguez rocketed a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence that put the Javs back in front, 7-5.
On more Mulerider threat had to be thwarted before the win was secure. SAU loaded the bases with one out against sophomore Saidi Castillo (Kingsville, Texas), but the TAMUK right-hander killed the rally with back-to-back strikeouts to lock up her seventh victory.
GAME TWO
Javelina freshman Beth Montes (San Antonio, Texas) and SAU's Sydney Wader both began the game by holding the opposition hitless for three innings. The Muleriders pushed across their first run in the fourth thanks to a walk, a double and fielder's choice that brought in Faith Otts to make the score 1-0.
The best chance for TAMUK to even the score came in the top of the sixth, when they put runners on second and third with one out, but SAU recorded the inning's second out on a play at the plate, then induced an inning-ending groundout to foil the rally.
A solo homer by Jaxynn Dyson in the bottom of the sixth increased the home team's advantage to two runs and a first and second and one out opportunity for the Javs in the seventh went for naught when the Muleriders turned a double play. Despite taking the loss, Montes allowed only two hits and one earned run in six innings.
The Javelinas now get to come home, where they'll begin a weekend at Hubert Field on Friday with a doubleheader against Eastern New Mexico at 4 p.m. Stay current with Javelina softball by following @TAMUKSB and @JavelinaSports on both Twitter and Instagram, liking the Javelina Sports Facebook page, subscribing to the Javelina Athletics YouTube Channel and visiting Javelinaathletics.com. Watch your Javelinas live today on the Javelina Sports Network sponsored by Mendoza's Pharmacy.
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