KINGSVILLE, Texas — Behind timely hitting and the arm of senior pitcher
Beth Montes, the Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team notched a pair of Lone Star Conference victories over visiting Western New Mexico, 4-1 and 5-2, Saturday afternoon at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field.
With both games tightening up late, the Javelinas (12-4, 5-3 LSC) posted a pair of two-run sixth innings to help seal the victories over the Mustangs (6-8, 3-5 LSC) .
"It's still early in the season, but we've played a lot of close games," TAMUK head softball coach
Orlando Salinas said. "Just because the game is close, the girls are staying with our gameplan and they're getting the job done. They're not folding, they're just relaxed and letting the game come to them. Then, we get our timely hit and we open it up. It's really impressive to see these girls not get fazed by that."
Meanwhile, Montes picked up a complete game win in Game 1 with a 12-strikeout performance. She then entered Game 2 and weathered a one-out, bases loaded storm that would set her up with an eventual save.
"In Game 1, I felt good," Montes said. "I felt strong in my legs; I was definitely pushing. In Game 2, there was a definitely a switch in my mindset. I had to get tough right there on the mound, because that was quite a predicament. My whole approach was taking it one hit at a time."
The wins made for a strong start to the Javelinas' first home series of the season as they look to finish the sweep in Game 3 of the series, which will see its first pitch at noon tomorrow.
Game 1
The Javelinas got going quickly in the bottom of first in Game 1 with a double to right center field from third baseman
Aaliyah Ortiz, scoring
Breana Carr and leadoff batter
Seleste Compian to take a 2-0 lead.
Both teams would go quiet over the next three innings, with the Javelinas managing just one hit and the Mustangs recording three over the span.
Western New Mexico would come live a bit in the fifth, setting runners up at the corners for an Adlai Alvidres, whose single brought home Hannah Martinez to make it 2-1.
TAMUK would add some cushion to its lead in the sixth via a
Kayla Gonzales RBI that brought home Carr. Gonzales herself would cross the plate moments later on a
Lindsey Evans single.
Montes shut the door in the seventh, striking out two of the four batters she faced and finished the game allowing six hits and an earned run.
Carr was 1 for 2 with a walk and two runs scored.
Kaylynne Ruiz had a solid outing at the plate going 3 for 2.
The Mustangs' Alvidrez was 2 for 3 with and RBI and Martinez was 2 for 3 with a run scored.
Game 2
The next game once again featured the Javelinas jumping out to a lead, this time plating three runs in the bottom of the third.
A Carr RBI single to left center brought in
Alexis Ramirez to give TAMUK a 1-0 lead. Two at-bats later, Mustang catcher Ramona Fossum attempted a throw to second base, but instead made contact to the head of pitcher Madison Kloepper, opening the
door for
Sarah Montes and Carr to score and make it 3-0.
The Mustangs answered in the top of the fourth when Ana Armijo scored on a Kamerynn Cordova fielder's choice RBI. A Fossum RBI single would score Jenna peters on the very next at-bat and the Mustangs would make it a 3-2.
The Mustangs looked primed to tie or take the lead in the sixth after TAMUK pitcher
Carissa De Los Santos loaded the bases with one out, prompting Salinas to send
Beth Montes out once again.
Montes retired the next two batters to get out of the inning and provided the Javelinas momentum.
"We talked to (Beth) in the fifth inning and told her to go see how she felt and if she could give us an inning or two," Salinas said. "She came in and that's Beth. That's what she does. She's got ice in her veins, and she just takes care of business."
Ruiz would take advantage and lead off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to left field to make it 4-2.
"I was just thinking that I wanted to have my team's back and get more runs," Ruiz said. "I just wanted to get on base for my team and the home run came out of it and I was just happy about that."
Victoria Mosqueda added an insurance run on an RBI double to set up a 5-2 cushion for
Beth Montes to close it out in the seventh.
The Javelinas look to pick up the series sweep tomorrow with the first pitch slated for noon.
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.
