WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Midwestern State faced Texas A&M-Kingsville in a doubleheader at Mustangs Park, resulting in a narrow loss in the first game and a more significant defeat in the second, with scores of 1-0 in extra innings and 10-4, respectively.
In the first game,
Kayleigh Bowers pitched a complete game, striking out 11 batters over 10 innings, but Texas A&M-Kingsville ultimately capitalized in the 10th to secure the win. The game was tightly contested, remaining scoreless through the first nine innings, marked by strong pitching performances and defensive plays.
The Mustangs had a promising start with
Myka Riley and
Hayeli Acosta both drawing walks in the first inning; however, they left runners on base and the score remained 0–0. Bowers kept Texas A&M-Kingsville at bay through nine innings, allowing minimal hits. The Mustangs had opportunities to score, particularly in the fourth inning when
Chipper Mayorga and
Tatum Waller both singled but were unable to capitalize, leaving two runners on base.
In the tenth inning, TAMUK broke the deadlock. Kennia Chong doubled to left center, and a single by Ella Srubar brought Chong home, giving the visitors a 1–0 lead. MSU was unable to respond in the bottom half, as three consecutive outs ended the game.
Kayleigh Bowers delivered a standout performance, allowing just four hits and striking out a career-high 11 batters over 10 innings. She issued only one walk and threw 145 pitches, 96 of which were strikes, maintaining control throughout the extended game. Despite her efforts, her record moved to 2–16.
Chipper Mayorga collected two hits and stole one base, while
Tatum Waller had a hit and a walk, and
Myka Riley contributed with a hit and a walk.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Midwestern State (6-35, 4-28) fell to Texas A&M-Kingsville (27-14, 23-9) 10–4. The Mustangs struggled out of the gate, as Texas A&M-Kingsville scored five runs in the first inning with contributions from Victoria Vargas, Megan Geyer, Lainee Ballin, and Alexis Soliz.
Midwestern State responded with a notable three-run fourth inning.
Tatum Waller reached on an error and scored on
Audrey Sierra's RBI single.
Stormy Daniel was brought home by
Sydnie Rios' sacrifice bunt, and
Hayeli Acosta drove in another run with a single, narrowing the gap to 7–3. However, Texas A&M-Kingsville extended its lead in the sixth when Vargas scored on Ballin's RBI double play, making it 8–3.
MSU managed to add a run in the seventh inning when
Myka Riley reached on an error and scored on
Chipper Mayorga's groundout, but the Javelinas had already sealed the game with two earlier runs from Ella Srubar's home run.
Hayeli Acosta led the Mustangs with three hits and an RBI.
Chipper Mayorga contributed with one hit and one RBI, while
Stormy Daniel scored a run, had one hit, and stole a base.
Audrey Sierra faced challenges, allowing four earned runs on three hits in her brief appearance, while
Kaylin Salazar relieved her, pitching 1 2/3 innings and giving up two earned runs on four hits, including a home run.
In their next game, MSU will journey to Odessa, Texas, to face UT Permian Basin on Friday, April 24, at 2 p.m. CT.
