Game 1  ::  Game 2
SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Angelo State softball team continued to roll through its Lone Star Conference opponents, as the No. 15 Rambelles earned a pair of wins over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Friday at the ASU Softball Complex. The Belles utilized the long ball in Game 1 to earn a 5-3 victory, while taking advantage of Mary Kate McKay's second complete-game shutout of the season in Game 2 for a 5-0 win.
 
“Getting wins in the Lone Star Conference is never easy, and we were just glad we could get another conference series win under our belt,” Angelo State head coach Travis Scott said. “We hit the ball hard today with six home runs, and Mary Kate McKay pitched great for us.”
 
The Rambelles (41-8, 22-4 LSC) jumped on TAMUK starting pitcher Lauren Denney early in Game 1. On a 3-2 count, Morgan Spearman led-off the game with a homer over the right-field wall. Then, two batters later, Elsamartina Apo launched a two-run blast bringing Denney's day to a close.
 
Angelo State continued to take advantage of the long ball with the final two coming from the bat of Lauren Smith. The junior outfielder hit solo shots in the second and fourth innings giving her 11 for the season.
 
The Javelinas (17-32, 5-21 LSC) made a late-game push plating two in the sixth, but fell 5-3. Belles' starter Claire Molina (22-4) put in 5.2 innings of work and picked up the win before handing the ball over to Mary Kate McKay. McKay threw the final 1.1 innings and earned her second save of the season. Denney took the loss and fell to 1-8 on the year.
 
McKay's pitching success carried over to Game 2. The sophomore threw a five-hit, complete game shutout, forcing 16 groundouts. With the win, McKay improves to 19-4 on the season.
 
The run support would come early for the Madill, Okla., native. Angelo State grabbed a 1-0 lead after starting the game with four consecutive singles. ASU doubled its lead in the third inning thanks to Apo's opposite field blast. The senior finished the day 3-for-5 with four RBIs and two runs scored.  
 
“I can't say enough about Elsa,” Scott said. “She continues to play great for us day in and day out. Today she hit the ball hard and was selective at the plate waiting for a pitch she can drive.”
 
ASU stretched its lead to 5-0 after scoring three runs on just one hit in the fifth. After three walks, April Breshears highlighted the inning with a two-run single.
 
Texas A&M-Kingsville's Denise Arnold took the loss and drops to 7-16 on the year.  
 
The two teams return to the ASU Softball Complex on Saturday at 1 p.m. for the regular season finale.  Prior to the game, Angelo State will recognize its seniors for Senior Day. Live audio will be available on AngeloSports.com and 1260 KKSA or follow live Twitter updates @AngeloSports.