ABILENE, TEXAS – Texas A&M-Kingsville senior pitcher Jaden Dillon (Bridge City/Bridge City HS) went seven shutout innings for the Javelinas, but the team could not take advantage and lost at Lone Star Conference rival Abilene Christian, 4-1 in baseball action on Friday night.

Cameron Duarte sent the Wildcat (15-11, 3-2) fans home happy when he hit a walk-off, game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth.

The Javelinas (13-6, 2-3) led for the majority of the game thanks to a second inning RBI single from Taylor Taska (Kingwood/Kingwood HS). Dillon scattered four hits and two walks while striking out four in the no-decision.

The Javelinas continued to lead 1-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. Jeremy Flores (Victoria/Memorial HS) got the first two batters out easily, but then wildness hit him. He walked a batter and then hit the next batter. A wild pitch and a balk allowed the Wildcats to tie the game and set up their heroics in the ninth inning.

Clint Cooper picked up the win for the Wildcats. He pitched three perfect innings of relief and had five strikeouts. Duarte went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the offense.

Ben Villafuerte (Corpus Christi/Carroll HS) and Taska each had two hits to lead the Javelinas. Trent Wagner (Victoria/Memorial HS) cracked a double and scored the team’s only run.

The teams are back in action on Saturday for a doubleheader starting at 2:05 p.m.
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