Feb. 7, 2012
Final Stats
LAREDO, Texas - Rochelle Nash went 3-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in the second game of a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon, helping the Texas A&M International University softball team hand Texas A&M Kingsville their first loss of the season 5-2. The Dustdevils dropped game one 4-2 after surrendering three runs in the top of the seventh.
"I am really proud of the way we bounced back after the way we lost in game one," said Head Coach Scott Libby. "We have a very young group of girls, but they don't conduct themselves like youngsters - they don't get rattled by much. We had a couple of chances to score in the first inning of game two and we didn't come away with anything. Instead of getting frustrated and hanging their heads they came right back and put some runs on the board in the second."
In game two it was the sophomore Nash who gave TAMIU a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, with a two-out-, two-RBI single to center field plating Desiree Ortiz and Kristen LaBuhn. The next batter Esme Gonzalez, sent a routine fly ball into left field which should've ended the inning, but was instead dropped allowing Nash to score from second pushing TAMIU's lead out to 3-0.
The Dustdevils added a run in the third off a sac fly from LaBuhn scoring pinch runner Robin Colin and another in the fourth courtesy of a sac fly from junior Alexis Gonzalez.
The Javelinas got their only run of the game in the fifth inning, when Rose Stubbs came across on an infield single by Amber Cherry.
Freshman Sarah Johnson got her first win of the season in her second career Division-II start, going six and two thirds innings giving up only two earned runs and striking out five.
"I have to tip my hat to Sarah, it was an impressive performance," said Coach Libby. "You never know how a freshman is going to react in a tough situation, but she had her poker face on the entire way and she kept their hitters off balance all day."
In the opening game the Dustdevils committed an uncharacteristic four errors, one of which came at an inopportune moment in the top of the seventh allowing Kingsville to take a 4-2 lead.
"I was really disappointed with our defense" you can't commit three or four errors in a game and expect to win," said Coach Libby. "In our first four games we committed only three errors and we had four in this one today, so there are still some things we have to work on."
After giving up a run in the top of the first, the Dustdevils answered with two in the second thanks to single up the middle from Nikki Salazar that was misplayed by Kingsville's centerfielder. The Dustdevils held on to the 2-1 lead through six innings until suffering a lapse with just three outs to go.
The Javelinas led the inning off with back to back hits, followed by a sac bunt to move the runners over. Kingsville took the lead (3-2) on two more consecutive base hits and added an insurance run when Nikki Salazar made an errant throw trying to pick a runner off at third base.
Kyndall Reaves got the loss for TAMIU despite throwing a great game - six and one thirds innings giving up only 2 earned runs and striking out three.
The Dustdevils improved to 2-3 on the season and will be back in action on Friday, traveling to Kingsville for day one of the Texas A&M Kingsville tournament. TAMIU opens tournament play with a tripleheader, taking on Tarleton State, Southern Nazarene and Midwestern State
