WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Junior designated hitter
Baylee Voigt blasted a three-run walk-off homer to lift Midwestern State to a 5-4 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville and clinch the final spot in next week's Lone Star Conference Tournament Friday evening at Mustangs Park.
With Texas A&M-Kingsville (21-32, 10-20 LSC) holding a 4-2 advantage heading into the bottom of the seventh, a one-out double down the left field line for senior third baseman
Katelyn Vinson began the rally for the Mustangs.
Senior center fielder
Haley Howerton drew a walk on the ensuing at bat before a single for junior right fielder
Erin Knox put two runners on with two outs after the Javelinas threw out Vinson heading for home on the play. Voigt then stepped up to the plate before sending a pitch from Carlie Clark over the center field fence to propel Midwestern State (28-26, 13-17 LSC) into the LSC postseason. The tournament is set to take place Apr. 29-30 at West Texas A&M's Schaeffer Park in Canyon.
The Javelinas scored two runs in the top of the first after a pair of hits and an error in the MSU infield. TAMUK loaded the bases with a double, walk and single before a walk for Clark and an error gave the Javelinas a 2-0 advantage.
Voigt drove in her first run of the game in the bottom half of the inning for a total of four RBI on the day with a double to left center to score Vinson, who led off the frame with a walk.
TAMUK extended its lead to 3-1 in the fourth with a double from center fielder Haley Boyett scoring Lindsey Angelico, who reached on a throwing error earlier in the inning.
Back-to-back hits for the Mustangs in the fifth cut into their deficit with Howerton lifting a pitch to right center field for a two-out double before Knox singled to center to drive in a run for a 3-2 ballgame.
The Javelinas pushed their advantage back to two runs in the top of the seventh with first baseman Victoria Schoonard-Saborio driving a pitch over the left field wall for a 4-2 lead.
Freshman
Makenzi Harris pitched a complete game, allowing five hits, two earned runs and six walks while striking out three to move to 9-6 on the season. Clark was saddled with the loss after giving up seven hits, five earned runs and five walks.
Voigt and Knox each posted two hits on the night to lead the MSU offense.
Midwestern State closes out the regular season tomorrow with a doubleheader against the Javelinas beginning at 1 p.m. Prior to the game, the Mustangs will honor seniors
Haley Howerton,
Katelyn Vinson and
Chelsey Wall as they play their final games at Mustangs Park.
– MSUMustangs.com –