The Javelinas softball team officially made its home debut kicking off the weekend with a double header on Friday and Sunday against the Sul Ross Lobos and UT-Permian Basin, respectively, winning out.
True freshman Arianna Alaniz put on a pitching clinic in Game 1 for the Javelinas as they won 8-0. The freshman pitched all five innings, striking out nine batters in the process and registering her third win on the year.
In the 27-degree “feels-like” temperature, freshman Alexis Soliz ignited the fire in the Hogs’ dugout with a double to center field, bringing in one run to put the Hogs up 1-0. TAMUCC transfer AJ Jasso sent a ball over the right fielders’ head for a triple while bringing in two more scores for the Javelinas to go up 3-0. UTSA transfer Sophia Campbell would bring Jasso in for the fourth and final score of the inning going up 4-0 on the Lobos.
The second inning would almost make you think you were having deja vu. Another Soliz double would bring in another score for the Javelinas. Lindsey Evans, Kaylynne Ruiz and Savannah Garza were all responsible for bringing in the final three scores of the game for the final of 8–0.
The Lobos seemed to come alive in Game 2 as they were able to get batters on base but weren’t able to capitalize on their opportunities. The Hogs would pour gasoline in their dugout as Dakota Martinez came out blazing hot in the first inning with a double bringing in two runs putting the score Hogs 2-0.
Soliz would bring in sophomore Seleste Compian for a run in the third. Martinez continued to push the score with a sac-fly bringing in Soliz to end the third inning up 4-0. Senior Victoria Mosqueda started the fourth inning with a solo homer pushing the lead. Then a few more runs would score before Martinez would make her way up to bat again.
With a 7-0 lead and two runners on base Martinez would turn on the first pitch, sending it out of the park for a three-run homer. The Javelinas would finish with a final score of 10-0 for the 2-0 series win over the Lobos.
Sunday’s double header was against the 5-11 UTPB Falcons who were coming into the day on a seven-game losing streak. In Game 1, the freshman from Palmview High School Alaniz outdid her Friday performance with a 14-strikeout game allowing only one hit. In the 11 total innings Alaniz pitched over the weekend she faced 37 batters striking out 23 of them, only allowing two hits and zero runs scored.
Offensively for the Javelinas, Jasso, Garza and Soliz each recorded a double bringing in seven runs combined. Evans and Laney Doelitsch would be responsible for two runs for the 9-0 victory in Game 1 on Sunday.
In Game 2 of the doubleheader the Javelinas wouldn’t match the scoring output of their previous three games but would still be victorious. Pitching for the Hogs was freshman Esther Martinez who pitched all seven innings striking out four batters and allowing for hits in the 6-2 win.
Soliz and Jasso would again lead the game in hits along with Mosqueda. Although once again number 15 for the Javelinas, Dakota Martinez would step up to the plate with two runners on
base, and one mission to get them across home plate. Just like Friday, Martinez would launch another ball out of the park for a three-run homer. The Javelinas would go on to win Game 2, 6-2.
The Javelinas would go 4-0 on their first weekend back home this year after going 2-2 last weekend, beating the WNMU Mustangs and dropping two to the ENMU Greyhounds. The top performers for the weekend were Dakota Martinez, Alexis Soliz and AJ Jasso. Martinez went the weekend 3-7 with a double, two home runs and nine total RBIs. Soliz went 7-11, had four doubles and seven total RBIs. Jasso would finish going 5-10, one double, one triple and five RBIs.
The Hogs now head to San Angelo Friday Feb. 28 to take on the Rams in a doubleheader matchup.