SAN ANGELO, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville baseball team saw their Lone Star Conference Tournament hopes dashed on Sunday afternoon at Foster Field. Abilene Christian defeated the Javelinas, 7-2 in an elimination game.

The Wildcats (25-27) and Javelinas (31-16) were tied 1-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning when the game began to get away from the Hogs. ACU’s leadoff hitter reached base via an error to start the inning and then the Javs failed to get an out on a sacrifice bunt attempt putting runners on first and third with no outs. Travis Schuetze drove in a run with a single and they were able to add two more tallies on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly.

The Wildcats added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning when Schuetze came through with a two-out, two-run single. Kyle Conwell added another run for ACU in the seventh inning with a two-out single.

The Javelinas finally got on the board again in the eighth inning against ACU starting pitcher Austin Palmer, but it was not enough. Palmer handcuffed the Javelinas all day long allowing just seven hits and four walks while striking out three in a complete game victory.

Jaden Dillon (Bridge City/Bridge City HS) was handed the loss for the Hogs. He allowed seven hits, four earned runs and two walks while striking out two in 6.0 innings of work. Dallas Ponder (Flatonia/Flatonia HS) pitched a perfect eighth inning for the team by striking out the side.

The Javelina offense was led by Taylor Taska (Kingwood/Kingwood HS) who had two hits, including a double, and drove in a run.

The Wildcats only had eight hits in the game, but made the most of their opportunities. Schuetze finished 2-for-3 with a run scored and three runs batted in. Conwell and Tyler Eager each had two hits and drove in a run.

The Javelinas will now wait to see if they are chosen for an at-large bid into the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament.
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