Paul delivers once again as Hilltoppers split with Texas A&M-Kingsville
AUSTIN, Texas - Junior Lisa Paul came clutch once again as she had another walk-off double in a 5-4 come-from-behind victory versus Texas A&M-Kingsville Friday afternoon at Diane Daniels Field. TAMU-Kingsville took game two, 5-2.
In what was a pitcher's battle in the early going of game one, TAMU-Kingsville (28-18) finally got on the board in the fifth inning. With two outs in the inning, Jasmine Ross reached on an error. From there, the Javelinas got back-to-back doubles from Kelsey Bryan and Cassie Anderson to score two unearned runs.
In the sixth inning, Ariel Lichtenberger led off the inning with a solo home run to left field. Pinch-hitter Christine Brumley also added a RBI-single to put the Javelinas ahead, 4-0.
St. Edward's (31-18) rallied back with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game. Sophomore Courtney Lavender led off the inning with a walk and came around to score on an error. Freshman Lana Jo Hairston, sophomore Kelsey Cogdell, and sophomore Lexi Stephens all pick up RBI's during the inning.
In the ninth inning, the Hilltoppers got a leadoff walk from Cogdell. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. She came in to score the winning run on a double by junior Lisa Paul.
This was the second-straight game that Paul has had a game-winning double. She produced the same result against #1 Angelo State on Tuesday.
In game number two, TAMU-Kingsville scored in each of the first three innings to take a 4-1 lead. St. Edward's tried to mount a comeback by scoring a run in the sixth inning. Paul led off with a triple and scored on a wild pitch. That is as close as the Hilltoppers would get, as the Javelinas tacked on an insurance run in the seventh inning for the final score of 5-2.
The Hilltoppers will be back in action Friday when they travel to take on Heartland Conference rival UT-Permian Basin. The doubleheader will begin at 2 p.m. in Odessa, Texas. The matchup will be broadcasted on the Hilltopper Athletic Website. Grant Sanregret will handle the play-by-play duties.