PORTALES, NM – The Javelina softball team closed out their regular season with two wins on the road against Eastern New Mexico, Saturday afternoon.
Senior outfielder Jory Cervantes delivered the win in the second half of the day's twin bill with a two-out, three-RBI triple in the fifth proving the difference in the 3-1 decision while also breaking the school record for hits in a career with 291. Cervantes' historic performance broke the record previously held by Loren Kelly who set the mark last season.
"It feels amazing to accomplish this especially in my last season as a Javelina in my last conference game right before post season," said Cervantes on the historic feat. "I was 0-2 before that at bat, breaking the record wasn't even on my mind I just wanted to get the series win but having the game winning hit made breaking the record even more special to me because we got the win as a team. I love this team and am so proud of everyone. Now on to post season!"
In game one, the Javelina offense provided the firepower in the third with four runs coming across en route to a 6-4 win.
"The way we played today speaks to the resilience of our team," said coach Orlando Salinas. "From the first pitch today, we battled and found ways to win which was crucial to secure our spot in the top six of the Lone Star Conference."
With the win, the Javelinas (24-25, 21-20 LSC) secure the No. 6 seed in the Lone Star Conference Tournament next week while the Greyhounds (25-29, 17-25 LSC) drop to the last spot in the tournament at the No. 10 seed, holding the tiebreaker over the Pioneers owning the season series 2-1.
Game One
TAMUK struck early in the first game of the day, as junior Kayla Gonzalez doubled to left field scoring Cervantes from second to put the Javs up, 1-0.
Eastern struck back in the bottom half of the opening frame with a two-run home run to take the lead, 2-1.
The Blue and Gold broke the game open in the third with four runs scoring as Gonzales picked up her second and third RBI of the game with a two-run blast to left center as TAMUK regained the lead.
Later in the inning, senior Matisen Onofrei laced a two-run double down the right field line scoring Natalie Rodriguez and pinch runner Sarah Montes as the Javs went up 5-2.
TAMUK tacked on an insurance run in the fourth inning as junior Aaliyah Ortiz drew a bases loaded walk to score Cervantes pushing the lead to, 6-2.
ENMU got two runs back in the bottom of the fifth before Lizette Del Angel came in to pitch for the sixth inning to close out the win for the Javs with a two inning save.
Game Two
The Hounds opened the scoring in the second game of the day with an RBI ground out to go up, 1-0.
The back half of the twin bill was a pitcher's duel with neither team scoring again till the fifth inning when Cervantes delivered her historic and heroic three-RBI triple with two outs to put TAMUK up for good.
The Greyhounds were unable to record a hit the remainder of the game as Del Angel (5-8) pitched her way to a complete game win to end the regular season.
