KINGSVILLE, Texas — The Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelina softball team showed that no two wins are the same as they swept their Lone Star Conference doubleheader against the Cameron Aggies, 7-5 and 8-0 on Friday night at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field.
In Game 1, the Javelinas rallied from a two-run, sixth-inning deficit before posting four runs in the bottom of the sixth to lift them to victory and creating a wave of momentum they would ride to a five-inning run rule decision in Game 2.
"You're seeing a team starting to grow every game," Javelinas head coach Orlando Salinas said. "(Cameron) said a couple of things to our team and they kind of, like, poked the bear. So, our team gathered and really put it together. This is the type of game we haven't had the whole season where we are able to put it all together. This might be the turning point to an awesome, awesome season."
After the Aggies (12-9, 9-8 LSC) put up a run in the top of the third inning, the Javelinas (19-6, 12-5 LSC) answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. The first came on an RBI double to left-center field from Kayla Gonzales to bring in Breana Carr. Gonzales would cross the plate herself two batters later, on a single from Lindsey Evans to make it 2-1.
The Javelinas led 3-1 heading to the fifth before the Aggies' Kaiden Boren hit a solo home run to left field that sparked what would be a three-run, two-out rally in the fifth.
The Aggies kept rolling in the sixth with another solo shot to left field, this one coming from Taylor Rowley to put the Javelinas in a 5-3 hole.
The Javelinas responded in the sixth, sparked by Carr, who singled to right to bring in Alexis Ramirez and cut the lead to one. Gonzales would come up big again, this time with a single down the third base line to bring home Anissa Lechner to tie the game at 5-5.
Dakota Martinez would cross the plate for the Javelinas for the go-ahead run after an Aaliyah Ortiz RBI coming on a fielder's choice to make it 6-5 and Carr would plate the last run of the game following a bases-loaded walk.
Carr was 4 for 4 from the plate with an RBI and two runs scored, while Gonzales was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and a run scored. Lechner was 2 for 2 with two runs scored.
"Overall, we adjusted, and we were patient," Gonzales said. "Once we saw their pitcher, we started adjusting and rallying off her. It feels good."
Beth Montes took the win in the circle, turning a complete game effort in which she recorded three strikeouts and gave up 11 hits and 5 earned runs.
In Game 2, both teams went scoreless through 3.5 innings before Gonzales smacked a solo shot to left field to make it 1-0.
With two outs and two on in the fifth Gonzales rose to the occasion again with a 2 RBI single up the middle to bring in Mariah Vasquez and Rylee Oborski to give the Javelinas a 3-0 lead.
"We tried to stay quiet when people start talking about us," Gonzales said. "We started rallying and we wanted to shut it down and help our pitchers out and to score run to win the game and ultimately take the series."
Ortiz brought home two more runs moments later with an RBI double down the left field line, setting up Evans for a two-run homer during the next at-bat to break the game open and make it 7-0.
The game would end via an eight-run rule after Shelbie Pearl scored an unearned run after Sammie Saenz reached first on a throwing error.
Gonzales was 2 for 3 in Game 2 with three RBI and a run scored, while Ortiz was 2 for 3 with two RBI.
"Kayla is our leader," Salinas said. "She's taken hold of that role and she knows we go as she goes. You can see her just blossom today. She put the team on her back and the rest is history."
Carissa De Los Santos turned in a winning effort in Game 2 for the Javelinas, giving up three hits in a five-inning shutout.
"When the real Carissa shows up, she's tough to beat," Salinas said. "Her backdoor curve was there and her changeup was there. We knew if we just get a couple of runs, we'll have a really good chance to win."
The Javelinas will be back in action Saturday to try and finish off the series sweep with the first pitch scheduled for noon.
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