(03/12/10)

  KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – After a slow start to the season, the Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team has now won four straight games. On Friday, they defeated Lone Star Conference South Division rival Eastern New Mexico, 3-0 and 3-2 at Hubert Field.  (Game 1, Game 2).

Sophomore Lindsey Brown (Spring/Spring HS) starred in both the pitching circle and at the plate for the Javelinas (8-11, 2-0). In the first game, she allowed hits to each of the first two batters of the game and then retired 21 of the next 22 batters she faced. The only other batter to reach base came via error. It was her second shutout of the season. She struck out five batters without allowing a walk.

At bat, Brown went 2-for-3 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI. She keyed a three-run fourth inning with her one-out, run-scoring double to centerfield. The Hoggies had four of their six hits in the game in the fourth inning. Amanda Arriaga (Kingsville/H.M. King HS) drove in a run with a single and Jessica Schneider (Flatonia/Schulenburg HS) brought in another with a ground out.

In the second game, the Javelinas took an early 1-0 lead when Ariel Lichtenberger (Alice/Alice HS) tripled home Kaycee Bryan (Splendora/Splendora HS) who had reached base by a single.

The Zias (6-16, 0-2) tied the game in the third inning when they had four straight batters reach base. Fortunately for the Javelinas, Arriaga was able to work out of the jam by retiring two straight batters with the bases loaded.

The Javelinas threatened to score in the bottom of the third and fourth innings, but each time they left runners on first and second without scoring.

In the fifth inning, the Zias took advantage of a Javelina error to take a 2-1 lead.

Kristen Cruickshank made the lead stand up for the Zias as she held the Hoggies at bay and took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Dalia Marroquin (Brownsville/Harlingen HS) reached by base by an error to lead off the inning. Then, Cassie Anderson (Splendora/Slendora HS) and Bryan followed with back-to-back bunt singles to load the bases with no outs. Lichtenberger flew out to centerfield and Marroquin held at third not wanting to chance the double play.

The next batter was Brown. She worked an 0-2 count into a 2-2 count and then bounced a high hopper to shortstop. Marroquin made a quick break for home and the throw went wild allowing her to score and then Anderson quickly followed to score the winning run.

Lichtenberger finished the game 3-for-4 with a single, double and triple to lead the offense. Arriaga was handed a no-decision despite allowing just four hits, one run and two walks in four innings while striking out three. Brown picked up the win as she pitched the final three innings.

Alex Mayo Otis led the Zias on offense by going 4-for-4 at the plate and scoring both of the team’s runs.

The two teams will finish up their series with a single game on Saturday at noon. All women and girls will be admitted free of charge in celebration of Women and Girls in Sport Day.
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