Freshman Kaelyn Dartez (7) — a former PNG Indian standout — delivers a walk‑off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the LSCPA Seahawks to a 10–9 win over visiting Blinn College, securing a split in Sunday’s Region XIV doubleheader at Martin Field. Dartez finished the day with five hits for the Seahawks.
(Photo credit: Amie Goolsby / Pat Murray, LSCPA Sports Information)
Posted: May 04, 2026
PORT ARTHUR, Texas – Kaelyn Dartez's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Lamar State College Port Arthur Seahawks to a 10-9 win over the visiting Blinn College Buccaneers to earn a split of their Region XIV softball doubleheader at Martin Field on Sunday. Blinn held off a late Seahawks; rally for a 6-5 win in the opener.
Dartez, the No. 9 hitter in the lineup, plated Jalise Martinez with the winning run as the Seahawks improved to 12-26 overall and 8-12 in the region. Blinn is now 29-17 overall and 13-9 in the region.
Dartez had five hits on the day for the Seahawks. The 7-8-9 spots in the lineup (Martinez, Jillian Vykukal and Dartez) accounted for seven runs and nine hits on the day for LSCPA.
"The bottom of our order really came through today," LSCPA coach Brittany Baker said. "They came up with timely hits when we needed them."
The Seahawks started the ninth-inning rally with back-to-back bunt singles by Sophia Kimble and Kori Vasquez. Martinez followed with a walk to load the bases. Vykukal's line drive to right plated Kimble with the tying run, but it turned into a double play when the Buccaneers threw out a runner, allowing Martinez to move to second base. That set the stage for Dartez's heroics.
We played some small ball to perfection in that inning, Baker said. "Two perfect bunts really got us going."
Blinn raced out to a 6-1 lead in the opener before the Seahawks responded with four runs in the bottom of the seventh, but left the tying run on third base.
"I was proud of the way we battled back in both games," Baker said. "We never gave up."
Alyssa Lewis had three hits in the opening game for the Seahawks, including her team-leading eighth home run of the season.
Kendall Hurt (7-6) pitched all nine innings in the nightcap to earn the win for LSCPA.
Looking Ahead: The Seahawks don't have much time to savor their comeback win as they travel to San Jacinto College for a Region XIV doubleheader at 3 p.m. Monday before wrapping up the season by hosting Coastal Bend College at 1 p.m. Wednesday on Sophomore Day at Martin Field.
Admission to LSCPA home softball games is free.
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