THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State gave up three multi-run home runs en route to an 8-0 loss to Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sunday at Mustangs Park. Sophomore outfielder Kelsey Eropkin provided the lone bright spot for the Mustangs, going 2-for-2 with a double and extending her hitting streak to 11 games.
 
The Javelinas hung a three-spot on the Mustangs in the top of the first. TAMUK's Loren Kelly opened the game with a bloop single to left and advanced to second when Eropkin couldn't corral the ball. After a walk to Rachael Longoria, Roxy Chapa launched Tucker Caraway's 1-1 offering over the wall in left to stake the Javelinas a 3-0 lead.
 
TAMUK got five more runs on a pair of long balls in the third to extend the advantage to 8-0. Longoria worked a leadoff walk before Chapa belted her second home run of the day on a shot to left-center, chasing Caraway from the game.
 
Coming on in relief, Riley Adams surrendered a walk to Victoria Schoonard-Saborio and a single to Haley Boyett put two aboard. Following a fielder's choice, Delila Gillespie cleared the bases with a three-run homer to the power alley in left-center.
 
Kingsville starter Sarah Gilbert earned the win, holding the MSU offense to three hits in 5.0 innings in the circle. The right-hander struck out five to improve to 2-3 on the year.
 
The Mustangs' pitching staff of Caraway and Adams combined to allow four hits and five walks, but three of those hits left the park. Caraway was tagged with the loss, falling to 1-1 on the season.
 
GAME NOTES
- Midwestern State surrendered a season-high three home runs in an 8-0 setback to Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sunday.
- The MSU pitching staff surrendered five hits, but three of those left the yard.
- The Javelinas hit .444 with runners on base and .667 with runners in scoring position while MSU was 0-8 and 0-4 in those situations, respectively.
- Sophomore outfielder Kelsey Eropkin extended her hitting streak to 11 games with a first-inning single to left. The Shawnee, Okla., product finished a perfect 2-for-2, adding a double in the bottom of the fifth.
- Junior Tucker Caraway was tagged with the loss, but tried to help her own cause with a double off the wall in straightaway center.
- Junior second baseman Samantha Loos reached safely for the 11^th-consecutive game, reaching via a hit-by-pitch in the bottom of the third.
 
UP NEXT
Midwestern State is back on the diamond Friday, March 2, beginning a Lone Star Conference series at Eastern New Mexico. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. in Portales.