KINGSVILLE, Texas – It's been two years since the Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team sliced through the South Central Region on their way to the program's first-ever appearance in the College World Series. After seeing the 2020 tournament canceled, the Javelinas are back in the big dance in 2021 and their South Central Regional Tournament opener pits them against third-seeded and 20th ranked Angelo State, who they'll take on at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the John Cain Family Softball Complex in Commerce, Texas.
Wednesday's matinee will mark the fourth clash between these teams in 2021. The Javs and the Rams met on the season's first day, Feb. 6th, with TAMUK coming out on top, 4-2, thanks in part to a two-run Matisen Onofrei (Mesa, Ariz.) home run and 5 2/3 innings of two-run pitching by freshman Lizette Del Angel (Robstown, Texas).
When the teams met again, it was for a doubleheader in San Angelo on April 18th in which the Rams took both games. A four-run Ram first inning paved the way for a 10-3 triumph in the opener and Genesis Armendariz held TAMUK to just three hits and one run in eight innings in the second game, which ASU won, 3-1.
The Javs will be attempting to regain the form they showed during a 21-6 start to the season, during which they rose as high as No. 12 in the national rankings. In the 11 games since then, TAMUK's lineup has been led by junior Loren Kelly (Rockport, Texas) who's hit .325 with five stolen bases. Kelly stolen base total for the season stands at 24 and her average of 0.71 steals per game is the second-best in the Lone Star Conference.
Over the last month, TAMUK's two freshman hurlers, Beth Montes (San Antonio, Texas) and Del Angel have combined to pitch to a 2.25 ERA over 43 2/3 innings. Over her last five outings, Montes owns a 1.88 ERA and included in that stretch is a start against ASU in which she allowed only two earned runs in 7 2/3 innings. Del Angel, who was named to the LSC's All-Freshman Team, earned her first collegiate win in the Javs' April 6th victory over the Rams and still has yet to allow more than three earned runs in any appearance in 2021.
Only one team in the LSC scored more runs than Angelo State and their lineup includes five players named all-conference first-team. The Rams have three players inside the league's top 10 in RBIs, including the LSC's top home run hitter, Madison Fernandez. Senior Courtney Barnhill's 17 doubles are tied for a conference-best and she's also in the LSC's top 10 in hits and stolen bases.
Fans can follow every pitch in Commerce via links on Javelinaathletics.com and recaps of each day will also be posted on the site. 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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