Islanders Strive in Houston Opener

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas- Texas A&M Softball slated off their opening game in the Houston Invitational, as they pulled away a 5-2 victory against Mississippi Valley State.

OFFENSIVE BOOST

Offense was the name of the game for the Islanders today, with Junior OF Keagen Helson sending a moonshot over left field for 2 RBI to score Freshmen C Kaylee Hoppens and herself early in the first inning; the Blue and Green lead the Delta Devils 2-0. Mississippi Valley State were quick to respond late in the third, as Sophomore P Quintana singled through left side for 2 RBI to score Junior 1B Dejanae Gage and Sophmore Jodeci Afoa-Tuia; game now being tied 2-2. The freshmen class for the Blue and Green parted the draw early in the fourth as Kaylee Hoppens singles through the right side for 2 RBI, scoring Taelor Thomas and Whitney Wendel. Keagen Helson sacrifices a fly shot to bring in Junior Kayla Sheridan early in the 4th. Junior pitcher Ashley Smith slashed out the remaining three innings for the Islanders with 0 Hits, 0 Runs, and only a single error.

KEY INNINGS
-Top of the 1st
>> K. Helson homers to left field for 2 RBI, scoring K. Hoppens and herself.

-Bottom of the 3rd
>>J. Quintana singled through the right side for 2 RBI, scoring D. Gage and J. Afoa-Tuia.

-Top of the 4th
>>K. Hoppens singles through the right side for 2 RBI to score T. Thomas and W. Wendel
>>K. Helson flied out by CF for 1 RBI, bringing in K. Sheridan


Junior Keagen Helson leading the Blue and Green's offense with an RBI count of 9, and 10 total runs. Kayla Sheridan remaining offensively persistent at bat with a .340 batting average, while starting in all 15 games of the season. Ashley Smith staying poised in the circle with 8 starts in 12 of her total game appearances.

COMING UP NEXT
Islanders head into day two of Houston's Invitational, with a doubleheader against the Delta Devils at 10 a.m. and later facing-off with the hosting team at 3 p.m. in the Cougar Softball Stadium. 

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