KINGSVILLE, Texas – The southern struggles continued for Ohio Dominican's softball team as the Panthers dropped two games to Texas A&M Kingsville, 9-1 and 2-1, Tuesday afternoon at Hubert Field.

With its fifth straight loss overall and fourth on the current Spring Break trip, ODU is now 3-7 on the year, while the Javelinas snapped a three-game slide to move to 11-15 overall.

The Javelinas jumped on the Panthers early in the opener sending three runs across in the home half of the first thanks to an RBI double to left center and a two-run homer to straightaway centerfield.  ODU responded with a run in the second as freshman Taylor Thomas (Bellville, OH) reached with a one-out single through the right side and came around to score on a double to left from sophomore Danyelle Delligatta (Sidney, OH).

That would be all for the Panthers though as Javelinas' starting pitcher Lindsey Brown allowed only hit, a single to center by sophomore Brooke McCartney (Salem, OH), and two baserunners the rest of the way. Texas A&M Kingsville plated a run in both the third and fourth innings and four in the sixth for the run-rule victory.

In game two, ODU was able to strike first as McCartney smacked a one-out base knock up the middle, advanced to second on sacrifice by senior Caitlin Chaney (Newark, OH) and came around to score on a single to second from sophomore Caitlin Jividen (Wheeling, W.V.).

The Javelinas sent across the tying run in the fourth thanks to a pair of back-to-back base hits, including an RBI double down the left field line, and plated the go-ahead run in the sixth following a trio of singles.

A single, walk and hit by pitch loaded the bases for the Panthers with one out in the seventh, yet consecutive strikeouts lifted the Javelinas to the 2-1 decision and first home sweep of the year.

Despite giving up just two runs for the second day in a row, freshman starter Rachael Stanzel (Angleton, TX) suffered her third straight loss in the circle as ODU struggled to provide enough run support, stranding four runners in scoring position, including two in the final frame. Jividen and senior Kylee Crislip (Louisville, OH) each collected two hits for ODU in the loss.

The Panthers are back it again tomorrow as they head to their second Lone Star Conference foe, Incarnate Word, in San Antonio for a 3 p.m. (EST) doubleheader.

Contact: Bryan Desch
deschb@ohiodominican.edu