Kuchenski notches first shutout, MSU splits pair with TAMUK

KINGSVILLE, Texas - Sophomore Ashley Kuchenski whirled her first career shutout while leading the Midwestern State University Mustangs to 4-0 win, earning a split with the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javalinas Monday afternoon at Hubert Field.

The Javalinas plated an unearned run in the seventh inning of the opener to give Brittany Willson her first loss of the season by a score of 3-2.

Kuchenski struck out four, while allowing five singles and walking none to improve to 1-1 on the season.

Jessica Rodriguez walked following back-to-back, one-out singles by Racheal Jackson and Kelli Ward in the top of the second inning to lead the bases.

Samantha Holmes popped out to the catcher before Stephanie Wardlaw chopped slow roller to right field to score Jackson and Ward.

An errant throw sent Rodriguez and Wardlaw plateward to give the Mustangs a 4-0 lead.

TAMUK's Nora Aguilar shut down the Mustangs the rest of the way, throwing 4 2/3 innings of hitless ball while striking out four and walking two.

Kassie Rezza's RBI single though the box scored Sally Lozano in the bottom of the seventh was the difference in the opener.

Willson, who fell to 4-1 on the season, stuck out six and walked three in 6 2/3 innings of work.

Allison Tidwell led MSU by going 3-for-4 at the plate in the opener.

The Mustangs (5-2) travel to San Angelo on Saturday to face Emporia (Kan.) State at 1 p.m. and Angelo State at 3.

The Javalinas are now 1-1 on the season.

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