Softball Splits with Texas A&M Kingsville

April 3, 2012

Final Stats

KINGSVILLE - The Texas A&M International University softball team battled Texas A&M Kingsville to a split in Tuesday night's non-conference doubleheader.

The Dustdevils took game one 6-1 behind a solid pitching performance by Kyndall Reaves and the Javelinas bounced back to win game two 2-1.

GAME ONE: TAMIU 6, TAMUK 1

Kyndall Reaves stole the show in the opening game with her bend-don't-break performance, allowing only one run on ten hits with three strikeouts through 8.0 innings. Reaves improved to 5-11 with the win, while Mariena Gallardo came on in relief in the ninth to seal the deal for TAMIU, retiring the Javelinas 1-2-3 to end the game.

Despite putting runners at the corners in each of the first three innings, the Dustdevils failed to capitalize and both teams were held scoreless through the first seven innings.

With the international tiebreaker rule imposed for extra innings, TAMIU finally got on the board in the top half of the eighth. Pinch runner Lauren Tucker started the inning on second base and advanced to third on a bunt single by Olivia Garcia. Kristen LaBuhn drew a walk to load up the bases before Alexis Gonalez, who finished 2-4 at the plate with three RBI, plated Tucker on a sac-fly to right field. Two batters later Regina Morales drew a two-out walk to load up the bases, but the Dustdevils were unable to take advantage and settled for a 1-0 lead.

The Javelinas managed to tie the game in the bottom half with an RBI double from Kodie Garner, but the Dustdevils would respond with a big ninth inning taking advantage of two Javelina miscues.

Sam Carrillo started the inning on second base and advanced to third on an error by the Kingsville third baseman on a sacrifice bunt by Emily Smith. With runners at the corners, Nikki Salazar drew a walk to load up the bases before Olivia Garcia was beaned to give the Dustdevils a 2-1 lead. LaBuhn and Gonzalez followed with back-to-back singles plating three more runs to give TAMIU a 5-1 lead. The Dustdevils added one more run before the inning was over, as LaBuhn alertly sprinted home after the second baseman and pitcher had a botched exchange following a fielder's choice.

GAME TWO: TAMIU 1, TAMUK 2

In the nightcap, TAMIU struggled at the plate early once again and couldn't break through in the late innings.

The Dustdevils took the early lead scoring their only run of the game in the second. Regina Morales, who led the Dustdevils at the plate finishing 2-3 with a run scored, singled up the middle to lead off. She advanced to second on a sac-bunt before coming across two batters later on an RBI double byDesiree Ramos.

The Javelinas countered with two runs in the bottom of the third and the Dustdevils were unable to repeat their game one heroics.

Sarah Johnson fell to 6-9 on the season with the loss despite giving up only six hits in the complete game effort.

The Dustdevils will now take a ten-day break before returning to action on April 13, traveling to Goodwell, Oklahoma to take on Oklahoma Panhandle State in a crucial series. TAMIU can clinch a berth in the Heartland Conference Tournament with a sweep over the Aggies.