KINGSVILLE – Chase Myrick extended his hitting streak to 14 games and four Javelina pitchers held St. Mary's to just two runs on six hits as Texas A&M-Kingsville defeated the Rattlers 5-2 at Nolan Ryan Field.

   The Javelinas improved to 10-4 while St. Mary's fell to 9-5.

   Myrick broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run single to give the Javelinas a lead they would never relinquish.

   Myrick has hit safely in all 14 games this season and 16 straight going back to last season.

  The Rattlers cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth, but the Javelinas answered in the bottom of the inning.

   Owen Weaver and Joe Hamon both walked to lead off the inning. With one out, Trey Karlen singled through the right side to plate Weaver and James Brown (Corpus Christi King) followed with a run-scoring groundout that made it 4-1.

   The Javelinas added an insurance run in the seventh when Lee Venegas walked and Weaver drove him in with a two-out double to left center.

   Bobby Gonsoulin picked up the win for the Javelinas to even his record at 1-1. Gonsoulin went the first six innings giving up five hits and one run while striking out two and walking a batter.

   Freshman Steven Hooker pitched a perfect seventh inning, but senior closer Ricky Erwin had to work out of trouble in the eighth.

   After the first two Rattler runners reached in the top of the eighth, Erwin came out of the bullpen in relief of Sam Strickland.

   Erwin retired two of the next three batters, walked in a run, but got out of the jam by striking out designated hitter Bobby Freeman with the bases loaded to end the inning.

    In his two innings of work, Erwin allowed one hit while striking out three and walking two to pick up his first save for the season.

    The Javelinas will return to Lone Star Conference action on Friday when they host the Abilene Christian Wildcats at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi at 6 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. and tickets are available the day of the game.