CANYON, TEXAS – West Texas A&M jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and were able to hold off Texas A&M-Kingsville in Lone Star Conference baseball action on Sunday, 9-6. The win means the two top 25 teams split the season series, 2-2.

The Buffalos (25-10, 13-7) jumped all over the Javelinas (24-11, 12-8) in the first inning. Kendall Boone smacked a three-run homer and then Jordan Easom followed with a solo shot to make it 4-0.

The Javelinas cut the lead to 4-2 in the top of the second inning. James Wallace (Corpus Christi/Tuloso-Midway HS) had a run-scoring double and James Black (Spring/Klein Collins HS) drove him in with a single.

The lead went back to four runs in the bottom half of the second inning, but the Javelinas roared back in the top of the third inning. Back-to-back singles by Dustin Aguilar (San Antonio/Churchill HS) and Trent Wagner (Victoria/Memorial HS) got the inning started. Jake Mendiola (Kingsville/Richland Northeast HS) drove in a run with a fielder’s choice to make it 6-3. Two batters later Taylor Taska (Kingwood/Kingwood HS) tied the game with a three-run homer, his team-high fourth of the year.

The Buffs would go back on top with a two-run homer by Patrick Ramirez in the fifth inning and a solo shot by Parker Wood in the sixth inning.

The Javelinas threatened in the seventh inning leaving two runners on base, but Carlos Maese shut them down over the final two innings recording six straight outs to earn the save for Justin Kuks who pitched the first seven innings. Kuks allowed 10 hits, five earned runs and two walks while striking out five.

Zach Pettiford (San Diego, CA/Henry HS) suffered his first loss of the season for the Hogs after allowing 10 hits, seven earned runs and one walk in 5.0 innings. Denver Diefenbach (Victoria/St. Joseph’s HS) pitched well in relief giving up two hits and a run in 3.0 innings while striking out two. Cameron Dullnig (San Antonio/Clark HS) extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a single in the third inning.

The Buffs finished the game with 12 hits and had four players with at least two hits in the game. Justin Henderson led all players with three base hits.

The Javelinas are back in action on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at #2 St. Mary’s.
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