KINGSVILLE, Texas – The No. 18 Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M return to Canyon victorious as they swept the No. 15 Javelinas of Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sunday afternoon. WT came back to defeat the Javelinas 5-3 and 4-3 to improve to a 6-6 Lone Star Conference record (18-6 overall) while TAMUK moved to 9-3 in league play (16-5 overall).
THE BASICS
Game 1 Score: #18 West Texas A&M 5, #15 Texas A&M-Kingsville 3
Records: #18 West Texas A&M 17-6 (5-6 LSC), #15 Texas A&M-Kingsville 16-4 (9-2 LSC)
The Javelinas took an early 1-0 lead in the first as lead-off hitter Kelly Loren hit a triple down the right before scoring on a groundout to the shortstop. The Lady Buffs immediately responded as back-to-back singles by
Alyx Cordell and
Gabriella Valforte put runners into scoring position before
Madison Johnson hit an infield single to load the bases. With two outs,
Hailey Neira slapped a 2-1 pitch to the second baseman to bring home Cordell.
WT took their first lead of the game as Cordell hit a sacrifice fly ball into right field to score
Shanna McBroom but was short lived as the Javelinas brought in two runs to make it 3-2. Cordell recorded her second hit of the day as the senior hit a shot into left center to even the score in the fifth.
Erica Vessels hit down the left field line before advancing to second on a throwing error to land on second. Neira came up with another big hit for the Lady Buffs as the freshman's single scored Vessels for WT to get the go ahead lead. WT would add insurance in the final inning of the game as
Ruby Salzman singled into left before scoring on hit driven into center. TAMUK would fight to the end as the Javelinas loaded the bases but a grounder to third secured the Lady Buffs 5-3 victory.
Six Lady Buffs recorded hits against TAMUK led by Cordell and Neira as each recorded two hits and two RBI.
Emilee Wilson (6-2) was rewarded the victory as the sophomore allowed three runs (three earned) on 10 hits with one walk and two strikeouts.
THE BASICS
Game 2 Score: #18 West Texas A&M 4, #15 Texas A&M-Kingsville 3
Records: #18 West Texas A&M 18-6 (6-6 LSC), #15 Texas A&M-Kingsville 16-5 (9-3 LSC)
The Lady Buffs put up two runs in the second inning to open scoring with back-to-back singles by freshmen
Madison Johnson and
Hailey Neira.
Alyx Cordell walked to lead off the inning before scoring two batters later as Johnson hit through the left side to take a 1-0 lead. WT doubled the lead with a single down the left field line by Neira to score
Sydney Greeson from third.
TAMUK brought the score within one in the fourth as Anastasia Leibas led off with a single before scoring on double into left center. The Javelinas took the lead as Katherine Flores drove a 1-0 pitch deep and out over the left field wall to make it 3-2.
Johnson led off the top of the seventh with a single to the mound before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Neira. The Lady Buffs took back control of the game as
Steph Elliott dropped a single into right field to score
Ruby Salzman after she hit a shot up the middle to even the score. The Javelinas would go down 1-2-3 for the Lady Buffs to walk away with the doubleheader sweep.
WT outhit TAMUK 7-6 led by
Ruby Salzman with two hits and one RBI.
Sydney Greeson earned her first victory of the season with one walk in 1.1 innings while
Kyra Lair earned the start allowing three runs (three earned) on six hits with seven strikeouts through 5.2 innings.
UP NEXT
The Lady Buffs continue conference play as they host doubleheaders against St. Edward's and St. Mary's on March 26 and 28.