KINGSVILLE, Texas – Texas A&M-Kingsville's softball team fell in its home and conference opener on Tuesday, falling to the #21 Rattlers of St. Mary's on both ends of the day's doubleheader.
The Javelinas (3-7, 0-1 LSC), fell late in both games dropping game one 8-5 after surrendering three runs in the seventh inning before falling in nine innings in game two, 5-0 with all five runs being scored in the top half of the sixth.
Game 1
St. Mary's struck first in game one pushing two runs across in the top of the third on an RBI single and double to left field to take an early 2-0 lead. The Rattler lead had the potential for three or more, but Breanna Carr began a beautiful relay home from the left field wall to catch a runner trying to take home on the RBI double ending the inning.
Aaliyah Ortiz provided a prompt response for the Javelinas smacking a two RBI double to the wall in left center scoring Carr and Jory Cervantes. Similar to the Rattlers though, TAMUK had a runner tagged out at the plate following a successful relay on the play.
After no offense in the fourth, StMU took advantage of a fielding error by TAMUK to score three runs in the top of the fifth taking the lead back at 5-2.
Kayla Gonzales and Matisen Onofrei brought the Javelinas back within one after six, with both recording RBIs in the fifth and sixth innings.
This was not enough however as two errors by TAMUK aided the Rattlers in pushing three more runs across.
A rally looked to be on after leadoff hitter Cervantes managed her way to third to start the inning and scored on a Carr sacrifice fly, but it was not to be with the next two batters recording outs to give the Rattlers the game one win.
StMU's Catalina Cavazos (7-2) earned the win with a complete game performance giving up five runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts across the seven innings of work.
Beth Montes (3-1) took the loss after four innings pitched giving up five runs on eight hits.
Game 2
The second part of the twin bill was a defensive struggle with neither starting pitcher allowing a runner to reach scoring position till the top of the fourth.
When they did, Carissa De Los Santos forced back-to-back fly outs to the outfield to end the inning and offensive threat.
The Javs seemed certain to break the deadlock with the bases loaded and only one out in the bottom half of the inning, but a hard line drive was snagged by the Rattler second baseman who promptly doubled up the Javs to end the inning.
After little offensive production by either team in regulation sent the game into extra innings. TAMUK once again found itself with an opportunity for runs and this time the walk off win with runners on bases loaded again and only one out.
The Rattlers got out of the jam however on a caught fly ball at center then catching the Javelina runner from third after she had to initially return to the bag after the ball was caught in an attempt to tag up late.
StMU did not let its opportunity go to waste after this, capitalizing on multiple Javelina errors coupled with timely hits to pushing across five runs which proved more than enough in the 5-0 win.
Madeline Bloom (3-1) got the win for the Rattlers in the circle pitching all nine innings for the shutout only allowing six hits.
Lizette Del Angel (0-4) got the loss for TAMUK in relief throwing three innings allowing five runs on five hits.
UP NEXT
The Javelinas and Rattlers conclude their series tomorrow at 1 p.m.
You can keep up with Javelina softball all year long 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 Lone Star Conference Digital Network.
