KINGSVILLE, Texas – Sophomore Beth Montes (San Antonio, Texas) twirled a complete game shutout and junior Matisen Onofrei (Mesa, Ariz.) drove in five runs as the No. 9 Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team vanquished the Cameron Aggies in both ends of a doubleheader by scores of 8-0 and 6-2 on Saturday afternoon in Lone Star Conference action at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field in Kingsville, Texas.
The Javelinas are now 21-2 for the first time in program history and their conference record is 5-1. Cameron is 14-10 overall and 2-4 in the LSC.
GAME ONE
Montes wouldn't allow the Aggies to get anything going as she collected her eighth win of the season. She retired the side in order in the first three innings and never allowed CU to put multiple runners on base. Over six shutout innings, Montes permitted only three hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out six. In 52 2/3 innings in 2022, Montes owns a 0.66 ERA and has seven walks against 45 Ks.
At the plate, the Javs jumped in front in the first inning, which started with TAMUK putting two on with one out. Onofrei then sent a single through the middle to tally senior Loren Kelly (Rockport, Texas) with the game's first run and senior Kaylee Dietrich (Phoenix, Ariz.) followed with an RBI double for a 2-0 lead.
The Javelinas counted their third run in the second on a run-scoring single from junior Jory Cervantes (Pflugerville, Texas) and sophomore Kayla Gonzales (San Antonio, Texas) walloped her seventh homer of the year in the fifth to make the score 4-0.
The last four runs of game one were scored in the sixth, the first coming across on a double by senior Jennifer Giesey (Crystal Lake, Ill.). Four batters later, Onofrei stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and ripped a bases-clearing double into left-center, bringing in the runs TAMUK needed to close out their 8-0 triumph.
GAME TWO
The second game of the day started with two scoreless innings, but the Javs broke through with three in the third. A single and a double started the frame and Kelly picked up an RBI by getting down a bunt that scored sophomore Sarah Montes (San Antonio, Texas). The next batter was Gonzales, who lifted a sacrifice fly to right and Onofrei capped the inning by lacing an RBI single into left.
A double steal in the top of the fourth allowed the Aggies to get on the scoreboard for the first time, but Giesey supplied the Javelinas' answer with a two-run single in the fourth for a 5-1 edge. Freshman Rylee Oborski (Salado, Texas) added insurance in the sixth with an infield hit that scored classmate Daniella Ramos (Robstown, Texas)
In the circle, junior Saidi Castillo (Kingsville, Texas) went the distance for the Blue and Gold, throwing seven innings of two-run ball. Castillo gave up only four hits and didn't walk a batter while improving to 6-1. She also struck out five.
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.
Get the Official Javelina Athletics Mobile App presented by Whataburger today! Download on the App Store or Get It on Google Play to keep up with all the news, scores and updates of your favorite Javelinas.
