Mustangs Down Javelinas

SAN ANGELO, Texas - - The Midwestern State softball team won its first ever NCAA South Central Regional game, beating Texas A&M-Kingsville, 7-3.

             MSU (44-14), the number one seed, started the scoring in the bottom of the first on a RBI single by Kristen Stonecipher. The Mustangs then scored a second run on a bases loaded walk by Tara Staten. In the bottom of the fourth inning, MSU added two more runs on a RBI triple by Cheyanne Paschal which scored Anne Smith from first, then scored Paschal on a fielding error by the centerfielder.

            TAMUK scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning to keep the game close, but in the bottom of the fifth, Tara Staten hit a two out double that scored Jessica Rodriguez and Stonecipher to give the Mustangs a 6-3 lead. They added one more run in the sixth inning on a RBI single by Rodriguez, which sealed the game for Midwestern.

            Midwestern picked up big games at the plate from Paschal (3-4, triple, 1 RBI), Stonecipher (2-4, 1 RBI), Rodriguez (2-4, 1 RBI), and Tara Staten (1-2, 3 RBIs).

            MSU also received great games off the mound from Katie Petersen and Ashley Kuchenski. Kuchenski, started the game, and went four innings allowing just four hits and striking out one batter, and went 1-2 with a double in picking up her 19th win of the season. Petersen, who came into the game in the top of the fifth, allowed three hits and three runs, one earned, and struck out three to pick up her fourth save of the season.

            Midwestern will now face the fourth seed, St. Edwards University (Texas), who knocked off Tarleton State 5-4. The MSU-SEU game will be at 4:00 p.m. from the ASU Softball Complex.

++MSU++