Handling the Huskies

HOUSTON, Texas- Texas A&M Corpus Christi kicked off their eighth Southland Series of the 2018 season against Houston Baptist on April 20th. Being away from the Island, the Blue and Green dominated the hosting team 2-1 in both competitions on Friday. 

GAME ONE
Houston Baptist set the offensive tempo late in the first inning, as they were able to register a single run from a sacrificed fly. Keeping the Huskies from being able to construct any other form of counter-attack, the Islanders were also held down at the dugout as both teams remained scoreless for the remaining five innings. Early in the seventh inning, Junior infielder Kaylon Dunn took the first knock on the sheet for the Blue and Green as she singled to left field putting her at first base; Dunn would then progress to second, as Freshman catcher Whitney Wendel was walked to first the play right after. Clenching the series opener for the Islanders, Freshman outfielder Taelor Thomas doubled to right center, scoring Whitney Wendel and Kaylon Dunn for a pair of RBI early in the seventh inning. Junior pitcher Ashley Smith closed out the final inning for the Blue and Green, sealing them the victory against the Huskies. 

KEY INNINGS
Bottom of the 1st
>> N. Shedd sacrificed a fly, scoring S. Humprey for a single RBI.
Top of the 7th
>> Taelor Thomas doubled to right center, bringing in Whitney Wendel and Kaylon Dunn for a pair of RBi.

GAME TWO
Returning from a promising opening contest against the Huskies, the Islanders were able to retain their offensive streak in the doubleheader closer as Whitney Wendel doubled to right center, scoring Kaylon Dunn for an RBI early in the second inning. Keagan Helson knocked on the sheet for the Blue and Green once again, as she scored from a passing ball that was hit by Kaylee Hoppens top of the third inning. With the lead being 2-0 at the bottom of the third, the Huskies were able to construct a run of their own, as H. Jaquez singled up the middle to score K. Schroeder for a single RBI. Cutting the lead by only one run, the Islanders pitching staff contained HBU for the remaining four innings to secure their second victory of the day.

KEY INNINGS
Top of the 2nd
>> Whitney Wendel doubled to right center, scoring Kaylon Dunn for a single RBI.

Top of the 3rd
>> Kaylee Hoppens reached to first on a passed ball, allowing Keagan Helson to score.

Bottom of the 3rd
>> H. Jaquez singled up the middle, bringing in K. Schroeder for an RBI.


AT THE PLATE
>>  Taelor Thomas, Kaylon Dunn, Destiney Diaz, Kayla Sheridan, and Kaylee Hoppens stayed offensively persistent for the Blue and Green, as they all went 1-for-3 in their opening contest against the Huskies on April 20th. Thomas's double to right center (2 RBI) in the final inning assisted the Islanders gain the 2-1 lead against HBU to clinch the doubleheader opener. Kaylon Dunn was able to register a single run in both contests against Houston Baptist, as she went 2-for-3 in the second competition.
>> Freshman catcher Whitney Wendel and Junior outfielder Keagan Helson were also able to get on the score board for TAMU-CC, as they each pulled a run against the Houston Baptist on April 20th.
>> Freshman pitcher Alexis Tovar went 2-for-3 at the plate against the Huskies on Friday's closing competition against HBU.


IN THE CIRCLE
>> Junior pitcher Ashley Smith pitched all seven innings against the Huskies, registering 1 strikeout, 1 error, and only walking a single batter in the SLC opener on April 20th. Smith now holds a 3-18 record after Friday's performance at Husky Field.
>> Alexis Tovar came in for Ashley Smith in the second competition, throwing 6 total strikeouts, 0 errors, and walking 1 batter on April 20th. Tovar set a new season and career high for strikeouts, with her previous record being four K's against Prairie View on April 17th. The Freshman pitcher now possesses a W-L record of 2-7 approaching their final game against the Huskies on April 21st.

COMING UP NEXT
Islanders close out their eighth Southland Conference Series against the Huskies on April 21st at 10 a.m. The Blue and Green will then return to the Island to face Nicholls in their ninth SLC Series of the 2018 season. Three-game stand slates off with a doubleheader opener on April 27th at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; concluding contest against NU commences on April 28th at 12 p.m.

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