Kingsville - The Javelinas struggled to pair pitching and hitting as the Texas A&M - Kingsville softball team fell, 13-4 and 3-2, to the No.5 West Texas Lady Buffs.

While the team put up nine hits and turned into four runs in game one, the squad's pitching and defense struggled, committing five errors and allowing 13 hits. Game two the pitching staff was stellar, holding WT to just three runs, but couldn't provide the late-inning run support.

The team falls to 8-6 in LSC play and 13-12 overall, and will close out its weekend against Midwestern St. with a doubleheader on Sunday with first pitch set for noon.

The Javelinas struck first in game one, as crafty base-running got graduate student outfielder Lindsey Evans all the way around the bases - she eventually got home on a wild pitch to plate the first run of the game. The Lady Buffs struck back quickly, though, scoring six straight runs from the second to the fourth inning. 

Kingsville got a run back in each of the fourth and fifth innings, as Kaylynne Ruiz scored Laney Doelitsch in the fourth and Evans scored Seleste Compian in the fifth. As the Javelinas threatened, WT responded, scoring seven runs in the top of the seventh to put the game away.

Freshman Arianna Alaniz started in the circle for TAMUK, pitching three innings and giving up four hits and two earned runs. Junior Andrea Martinez came in for the final four innings, giving up nine hits and four earned runs.

Evans and fellow graduate student outfielder AJ Jasso each went 2-3 with a walk in game one, and were the only Javelinas on the day to post a mulit-hit game. Evans had two doubles and one of the team's two RBIs

Game two went very differently for the Javelinas, who again got to work early. Despite giving up a run in the top of the first, they responded with a two-RBI single from Sophie Campbell in the bottom of the first to take the lead. From there, freshman Esther Martinez held it down in the circle, giving up just two hits and two earned runs through 4.2 innings of work. With the game tied heading into the seventh inning, however, a Lady Buff homer gave them a lead that they wouldn't surrender. 

Alaniz came in for the game's final 2.1, throwing six strikeouts and giving up three hits and an earned run.

Between Sunday's doubleheader against Midwestern, Kingsville will be hosting the Hoggie-Thon Tailgate in support of Driscoll Children's Hospital.
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