Zia softball loses at Kingsville

Freedom New Mexico

KINGSVILLE, Texas — For the first time this season, the Eastern New Mexico University softball team found itself on the down side of the scoreboard.

The Zias picked a bad time for it — a three-game Lone Star Conference South Division-opening series against Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Javelinas completed a series sweep on Saturday with a 5-0 win.

Actually, ENMU might have simply been unfortunate to have to travel for the series. Kingsville is now 7-0 at home this season, but 0-6 on the road.

ENMU (13-11, 0-3) entered the series outscoring its opponents for the season 130-47, but managed only an unearned run in Friday’s 2-1 second-game loss against the Javelinas (10-10, 3-0). Meantime, Kingsville’s Courtney Rigamonti (6-7) pitched her second shutout of the series, scattering four ENMU singles.

Kingsville broke on top in the first on catcher Julia Canales’ RBI infield single, then broke it open and chased ENMU starter Kristen Cruickshank (5-5) with a four-run third capped by designated player Kristin Schumann’s three-run homer to left.

Rigamonti walked none and fanned three, needing just 72 pitches and facing only four batters over the minimum. Sophomore catcher Michelle Anderson had two of ENMU’s hits.

Senior Nicole Dickson relieved Cruickshank after Schumann’s home run and blanked the Javelinas over the final 3 2/3 innings on four singles.

Saturday

Kingsville 5, ENMU 0

ENMU 000 000 0 — 0

Kings.104 000 x — 5

Kristen Cruickshank, Nicole Dickson (3) and Michelle Anderson; Courtney Rigamonti and Julia Canales. W — Rigamonti (6-7). L — Cruickshank (5-5). LOB — Eastern New Mexico 4, Texas A&M-Kingsville 8. 2B — Texas A&M-Kingsville: Shaun Bryan, Jessika Cantu. HR — Texas A&M-Kingsville: Kristin Schumann (1). T — 1:23. A — 1:33.