SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville baseball team found themselves on the short end of a 9-5, 9-8 doubleheader sweep by Incarnate Word on Saturday at Sullivan Field. (Game 1, Game 2)

In the first game, the Cardinals (27-12, 19-8) scored seven times in the first two innings. Matt Roohan sparked the offense with an RBI double in the first inning and a two run homer in the second inning. He finished the game 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBI’s.

The Javelinas (19-20, 15-15) came back with four runs in the top of the third inning. Jerry Rodriguez (Canovanas, P.R./North Lake) cracked a bases loaded triple and scored on Chris Ballou’s (Houston/Houston Christian HS) single. They had a chance to pull even closer in the fifth and sixth innings as they put the first two batters on base in each inning, but were unable to score.

The Cards put the game away with a run in the fifth and sixth innings. Jorge Guarneros pitched 6.0 innings to pick up the win. He allowed six hits, run runs and four walks while striking out seven.

Jeremy Flores (Victoria/Memorial HS) was tagged with the loss for the Hoggies.

In the second game, both teams scored early and often. The Javs scored four times in the top of the first as they batted around. The Cards came back with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. After two innings of play the game stood tied at 5-5.

The Javelinas took the lead again in the fourth inning when Rodriguez hit a two-run homer, his second of the year.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals responded with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Steven Vidaurri had the big hit, a two-run double to tie the game and later scored to give his team a 9-7 lead.

The score remained that way through the next four innings. Both teams threatened to score, but could not.

Finally, in the top of the ninth inning the Javelinas scored on a wild pitch and had a runner on second base with two outs, before Elroy Urbina struck out the final batter of the game to earn his 11th save of the season. Ethan Lutz picked up the win after pitching 6.1 innings in relief. He allowed four hits, two runs and two walks while striking out six.

The Javelinas were led by Rodriguez who went 3-for-5 with three RBI’s, two runs, a homer and a stolen base. Trent Wagner (Victoria/Memorial HS) had two hits off the bench, including a triple while A.J. Hecker (Orange/Bridge City HS) was 2-for-5 with a run scored. Julian Duran (San Antonio/Madison HS) reached base three times and scored each time. Cash Barker (Spring/Klein HS) tied a school record after being hit by a pitch on three occasions.

Dallas Ponder (Flatonia/Flatonia HS) was dealt the loss in relief. Clint Brown (Red Oak/Red Oak HS) had an outstanding performance tossing 4.2 scoreless inning of relief allowing just three hits while striking out three.

The Javelinas are back in action on Tuesday night at home against St. Mary’s at 6 p.m.
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