KINGSVILLE, Texas – Fresh off a doubleheader sweep in their 2022 home regular season finale, the No. 5 Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team is about to spent the second-to-last weekend of the regular year on the road, first visiting the Midwestern State Mustangs for two games on Friday beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday at Mustangs Park in Wichita Falls, Texas, followed by a Sunday doubleheader against the Texas Woman's Pioneers, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at Dianne Baker Field in Denton, Texas.
That most recent sweep came at the expense of the St. Mary's Rattlers and six different Javelinas drove in runs during that twin bill, with senior Kaylee Dietrich (Phoenix, Ariz.), junior Jory Cervantes (Pflugerville, Texas) and freshman Aaliyah Ortiz (San Antonio, Texas) each contributing a pair. The final RBI of the day was provided by sophomore Natalie Rodriguez (Edinburg, Texas), who belted her second career walk-off homer to put the final touches on TAMUK's sweep. Rodriguez's home run was the 44th of the season for the Javs' putting them just two short of the program-best for single-season long balls, set in 2019.
In the circle against the Rattlers, nobody threw the ball better than sophomore Lizette Del Angel (Robstown, Texas), who put together five innings of two-hit relief work in game two, an effort good enough to earn her Lone Star Conference Pitcher of the Week honors. In her last six appearances out of the bullpen, Del Angel has allowed just two earned runs in 17 innings.
By taking two from No. 8 StMU, the Javelinas logged their second sweep of the year against a regionally-ranked opponent, having earlier taken two from the No. 6 team in the NCAA South Central Region, Texas A&M-Commerce. Those triumphs have contributed to the Javelinas' overall record of 37-8 so far in 2022, good enough to put them third in the year's first regional poll. The Javs are attempting to secure their third straight NCAA Tournament berth, which would be a first for the program.
The Javelinas will be making their first trip to both Denton and Wichita Falls since 2018 and while TAMUK earned a sweep the last time they visited MSU, they'll be attempting to win series on TWU's home field for the first time since 2008.
Both the Mustangs and Pioneers are attempting to salvage something from the last couple weeks of difficult seasons, as they've combined for only 10 total wins in LSC play. The Mustangs can boast of some starpower in the middle of their lineup, as they have four players who've hit at least five homers, including junior Bailey Brenek, who owns a team-best .393 average, and sophomore Hanna Hetherington, who's 12 round-trippers are tied for third-most in the LSC.
Be sure to check out Javelinaathletics.com for links to live video and live stats from both games and a recap of all the action on each day. 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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