KINGSVILLE, Texas – Junior Saidi Castillo (Kingsville, Texas) fired seven innings without allowing allowing an extra base hit or an earned run in game one of a doubleheader that the No. 7 Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team split with the No. 15 Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps, winning the first game 5-1, but dropping the second, 4-3, on Friday evening in Lone Star Conference action at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field in Kingsville, Texas.
This split puts the Javelinas at 34-7 in 2022 and 16-6 in conference play, while LCU is 17-5 in conference and 31-7 overall.
"They pitched really well tonight," said coach Craig Nicholson, "and they have a good 1-2 combo over there, but I just felt like we didn't make the adjustments we needed to offensively. Pitching wise, we did a nice job, but offensively we've got to be able to do a little bit more than that."
GAME ONE
The Javs broke the ice in the first game thanks to a walk to senior Loren Kelly (Rockport, Texas), who then stole second, took third on an error and scored on a Kayla Gonzales (San Antonio, Texas) groundout.
In the third, that slim lead was boosted to five and this rally was again started by Kelly, who singled, swiped second and crossed the plate when junior Jory Cervantes (Pflugerville, Texas) singled and LCU committed an error. One batter later, Gonzales plated Cervantes by lining a double into right-center and another miscue by the visitors brought in Gonzales. The inning's fourth run was scored when sophomore Natalie Rodriguez (Edinburg, Texas) grounded out, making the score 5-0.
That lead proved more than enough for Castillo, who retired the side in order in the second and fifth frames and was helped by a 6-4-3 double play turned in the third. LCU put two runners on for the first time in the sixth, but that rally was squashed when Tiarra Delrosario hit a fly to Cervantes in center, who made the catch, then threw out pinch runner Riley Lunsford at the plate. The Lady Chaps did manage to get on the scoreboard in the seventh, but another Cervantes outfield assist cut down a runner at third to end the game.
GAME TWO
The second game started with the teams trading first inning runs, LCU scoring on an RBI double from Kasey Flores and TAMUK matching that when senior Kaylee Dietrich (Phoenix, Ariz.) drew a bases-loaded walk.
Both starters, sophomore Lizette del Angel (Calallen, Texas) and Maxine Valdez for the Lady Chaps, kept the score tied until the fourth, when senior Jennifer Giesey (Crystal Lake, Ill.) belted a two-run homer over the left field wall. Unfortunately for the Javs, that was a short-lived lead, as LCU rallied to score three times in fifth, with the last two runs scoring a two-out single from Brooke Makemson.
Valdez kept her team's edge intact by allowing only a single baserunner over the last three innings and she retired the side in order in the seventh.
The Javelinas will be back on their home field on Sunday for a doubleheader against Angelo State that will start at 12 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.
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.
