Laredo, TX - The Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team dominated both sides of the ball against the Texas A&M - International Dustdevils on Sunday, getting 3-1 and 7-5 wins to sweep the season series and push its win streak to five games.

The only doubleheader of the Javelinas' weekend saw them out-hit TAMIU 19-15 and knock a pair of home runs (both in game two), while senior RHP Andrea Martinez led the squad defensively, picking up a complete-game win in game one, before picking up a save to finish off game two's win. Kingsville has now won five straight ball games and seven of its last eight, moving the squad to 17-11 overall and 12-6 in Lone Star Conference play.

"Offensively, we hit the ball hard all day," Head Coach Orlando Salinas said. "Laredo played some really good defense, and they played hard all the way to their last bat. This doubleheader was a total team effort. These ladies work so hard together and to see them enjoy their hard work is really pleasing as a coach."

The first game of the day started quickly, with TAMUK dropping a three spot in the top of the second to break the scoreless tie and take a 3-0 lead. After TAMIU retired the first two batters of the frame, the Javelinas caught fire, with six straight reaching, three of whom batted in runs. The first was an RBI double from junior catcher Maria Valls Raya, followed by RBI singles from freshman center fielder Ayla Gonzalez and sophomore third baseman Alaunah Almaraz.

"We came out of the gate swinging the bat and put up three quick runs and then it just seemed like we just started hitting balls right at people," Salinas said. "

From there, Martinez and the defense took over. TAMIU's lone run of the game, a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth, separated six scoreless sides thrown by Martinez, who held the Dustdevils to just four hits while striking out four. The game marks the second straight start that Martinez has turned into a complete-game win.

"She threw great and was in total control from the first batter of the game," Salinas said.

In game two, the Javelinas' bats once again came out of the game swinging for the fences. Gonzalez and junior first baseman Dakota Martinez each sent two-run homers over the outfield fence in the top of the first, giving TAMUK a quick 4-0 lead. Though the Dustdevils got one back in the second, Kingsville dropped a three spot in the fourth to grab a commanding 7-1 lead. 

Junior Marianna Zumerle began the game by going 3.0 with just that one run ceded, before senior RHP Kristina Nash took over and threw three scoreless innings. A late Dustdevil rally, however, pulled the Hogs' hosts to within two before TAMUK again turned to A. Martinez. With the tying run in the on-deck circle, she retired the final batter of the game to secure Kingsville's win. A. Martinez has now appeared, and recorded at least one out, in eight straight games for TAMUK. 

The Javelinas will be returning home this weekend to test their hot streak against the No.10 Angelo St. Rambelles, who Kingsville lost a pair of close games to in San Angelo on the first of the month. The two squads will face off at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at Hubert Field in Kingsville on Saturday. Read Full Article