KINGSVILLE, Texas – Javelina softball split the first two games of their series against No. 10 Lubbock Christian in a doubleheader on Saturday night at Hubert Field.
TAMUK (12-10, 9-5 LSC), took game one, 6-4 as Beth Montes dominated in the circle in relief for the Blue and Gold, going five innings only surrendering one hit as the Javelinas found clutch two out hitting in the late innings to take the win.
No. 10 LCU (20-8, 10-7 LSC), put on an offensive clinic in the second game of the day, winning 10-0 in five innings with six runs in the top of the fifth to hit the run-rule limit getting the shutout.
"We got to get ready for tomorrow," said interim coach Orlando Salinas. "We are going to take the positives from today in game one, and look to correct the mistakes we made in the second as tomorrow's game is the most important one."
Game 1
The Javelinas jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first, as Kayla Gonzales opened the scoring with an RBI sacrifice fly to left scoring Jory Cervantes from third. Sammie Saenz, followed later with an RBI fielder's choice scoring Breanna Carr.
Latter, savvy base running saw Saenz steal second allowing pinch runner Sarah Montes to score from third on the throw down.
The Lady Chaps responded with four runs in the fourth however before the first out was recorded. The Javelina defense dug in though recording two straight outs to end the outburst at,4-3.
Montes, entered the circle then for the Javelinas in the third and shut the LCU offense down, allowing only one hit the rest of the game which came in her first inning of work.
TAMUK tied the game in third as Matisen Onofrei earned an RBI on a fielder's choice bringing Carr across for her second run of the game leveling the score at 4-4.
In the fourth, pinch hitter Hailey Vess doubled to center before Jory Cervantes delivered a two-out single left scoring Vess taking a 5-4 lead.
The Javs got another two-out RBI in the fifth as Natalie Rodriguez singled to right scoring pinch runner Autumn Jones from second pushing the lead to two.
In the seventh, Montes retired the side in order to secure TAMUK's 6-4 win.
Montes (6-2) earned the win in relief, going five innings, allowing only one hit and one walk, striking out two Lady Chaps.
Game 2
The Lady Chaps which came into the day tied for the most runs scored in the Lone Star Conference found their offense in game two posting 10 runs run-ruling the Javs in five innings.
LCU got two runs across in the second inning on a two-RBI single to right field.
In the fourth, Carissa De Los Santos got two strikeouts to open the inning, and got a third, but on a dropped third strike Onofrei's throw from home was dropped by Saenz at first as her vision was obstructed by the LCU runner who reached safely.
In the next at bat, LCU got a two-run home run doubling its lead to 4-0.
The Lady Chaps tacked on six more runs in the fifth meeting the run-rule into effect as the Javs were held scoreless ending the game after five innings at, 10-0.
De Los Santos (3-3) got the loss after four and a third inning pitched allowing 10 runs on 10 hits getting seven strikeouts.
Up Next
The Javs and Lady Chaps meet in a series rubber match tomorrow at noon.
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.
