Silver City, NM - The Texas A&M - Kingsville softball team started its Lone Star Conference schedule in style, with a pair of wins, 14-3 (5) and 13-9, over the Western New Mexico Mustangs in a Friday doubleheader.

The Javelinas collected 30 hits across the two games, with six different players posting multi-hit performances in just the first game, which ended in just five innings. Kingsville is now 6-5 on the season and a perfect 2-0 in the LSC.

The first game of the doubleheader was over almost as soon as it started, with TAMUK's offense posting crooked numbers in each of the first four innings, including a five-run second and a four-run third. Freshman Alexis Soliz added on to what has been a phenomenal start to her collegiate career with another strong game, going 4-4 with two doubles and four RBIs. Sophomore Anabella Ramirez was also perfect on the day, going 2-2 with two-run homer and a walk. Laney Doelitsch, Dakota Martinez, AJ Jasso, and Lindsey Evans all joined them with multi-hit games. Doelitsch, Evans, and Jasso were 2-4, while Martinez was 2-3 - they combined for five RBIs.

The defense behind Kingsville's explosive offense was almost just as good, with freshman Arianna Alaniz (W, 2-1)starting in the circle and going the full five innings, in which she gave up four hits and three earned runs while striking out 11 batters.

The second game started much quieter than the first for both teams, with four straight scoreless sides to open the ballgame. The Javelinas broke it open in the top of the third, however, scoring six runs in the frame. Jasso started the party with a bases-clearing double that broke the scoreless tie. On the very next at-bat - after a pitching change - Martinez launched one past the wall in center, scoring herself and Jasso with her first homer of the season, before Sophie Campbell finished the inning's scoring by taking home on an error.

TAMUK scored two more in the fifth before putting the game away with a four-run sixth. Soliz led the way once again, going 3-5, while Doelitsch and Victoria Mosqueda went 2-3 and 2-4 respectively. Mosqueda had three RBIs. 

In the circle, junior Kristina Nash got the win, her third of the season. She started the game and pitched four full innings, giving up four hits and just one run. 


The Javelinas will travel to the Lone Star's other New Mexico team, Eastern New Mexico, for a Sunday doubleheader with the Greyhounds. First pitch in game one is set for 2 p.m. central.
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