SAN ANGELO, TEXAS – A comeback win in the second game of a doubleheader gave visiting Texas A&M-Kingsville a series victory at Angelo State in Lone Star Conference baseball action on Saturday. The Rams won the first game, 5-3 and the Javelinas won the second game, 6-2.  (Game 1, Game 2)

In the first game, the Javelinas (6-3, 4-2) and the Rams (4-6, 3-6) matched each other run for run through the first four innings. The Hogs scored one in the second on a run-scoring single by Adrian Williams (Victoria/Memorial HS) and the Rams matched it in the bottom half of the inning. The Javs scored twice in the third on a single by Cody Stigall (Seguin/Seguin HS) and double steal that resulted in Ryan Cook (Houston/Mayde Creek HS) swiping home. In the bottom of the third, Tate Allison’s two-out, two-run single tied the game.

The Rams took the lead in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Allison. They tacked on an unearned run in the sixth to make it 5-3.

The Hoggies had runners in scoring position in each of the final three innings and had two runners thrown out at home. Freshman Nathan Humpal (Corpus Christi/John Paul II) was handed the loss after allowing one run in two innings of relief work. Cook led the offense with two hits, one run and three stolen bases.

Rick Reyna improved to 2-0 on the season for the Rams after tossing 6.0 strong innings. He allowed five hits, three runs and four walks while striking out seven. James Conlee picked up his second save with a scoreless inning of relief. Allison went 2-for-2 at the plate with one run and three RBI’s while Brent Denny was 2-for-2 with two runs.

In the second game of the doubleheader it looked like the Javelinas might squander another strong outing from senior left hander Tim Jones (Lake Jackson/Brazoswood HS) who tossed 7.0 excellent innings. He allowed seven hits, two runs and four walks while striking out six to pick up his first win of the season.

The Hogs trailed 2-0 heading into the seventh inning when they rallied. They scored three times in the seventh by stringing together and walk and four hits. Stigall and Jake Mendiola (Kingsville/Richland Northeast HS) each had RBI’s while Cook scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.

The Javs added two more runs in the eighth and another in the ninth and let the bullpen close it out. First, Clint Brown (Red Oak/Red Oak HS) pitched a shutout eighth inning allowing only a single. Then, Jeremy Flores (Victoria/Memorial HS) retired the side in the ninth.

The Javelinas had 12 hits in the game. Ben Villafuerte (Corpus Christi/Carroll HS) went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI. Mendiola finished with two hits and two runs batted in while Trent Wagner (Victoria/Memorial HS) added a pair of hits and a run.

Bryant Rutledge was hit with a hard luck loss for the Rams. He pitched 6.1 innings allowing five hits, three runs and four walks while striking out six.

The Javelinas are back in action on Friday at home against Tarleton State at 6 p.m.
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