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KINGSVILLE, Texas (Baseball) – Improving to 13-2 all-time in home opening series' after taking two-of-three from Newman University (3-4), Texas A&M University-Kingsville (3-3) welcomes Texas College (3-11) to Nolan Ryan Field for a three-game series, beginning on Friday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.
 
Live stats will be available for all three games and video can be accessed for Friday's bout.
 
Tale of the Tape
With the 8-7 victory over Newman on Feb. 14, Texas A&M-Kingsville earned its 650^th win and 350^th victory at Nolan Ryan Field. The Javelinas have dominated since the opening of Nolan Ryan Field in 1994, boasting a .634 winning percentage, making it one of the hardest places for opponents to play in.
 
Saturday's win was head coach Jason Gonzales' 185^th at TAMUK. Currently in his seventh season at the helm, Gonzales has led the Javelinas to three consecutive NCAA Division II South Central Regional appearances.
 
You Pitch 'Em, We'll Hit 'Em
Clint Wallace has started and reached base safely in all six games behind the plate. In fact, the redshirt senior is currently riding a five-game hit streak along with leadoff hitter Ryan Fickel.
 
Put Me in Coach, I'm Ready to Play
One of the toughest things to do is come off the bench and contribute. Nobody in the country has done a better job of doing just that than Blake Johnson. The Sugar Land native has registered three consecutive pinch hit singles, including a two-run base knock in the home opener versus the Jets (Feb. 13).
 
Witnessing History
Senior closer Ryan Scott (1-0) closed out two games against the Jets and is now tied for second on the all-time Javelina list with 16 career saves. The senior was named a preseason all-region selection and finished the 2014 campaign with 14 shutdowns, tied for most on the school's single season list.
 
Pitching Rotation
Right-hander Ryan Benitez (0-1) struck out a career-high seven in last week's game against the Jets, but the senior was tagged with the loss. Southpaw Matt Terrones is tentatively scheduled to pitch game one on Saturday and Hayden James (1-1) gets the nod in game two on Feb. 21. James is limiting opponents to a .189 batting average and allowed just two hits in a Valentine's Day victory.
 
Weston Silverberg (1-0) recorded a hold and has punched out five in 5.0 innings, allowing just one hit as the setup man for the Hogs. Dustin Luna and Trey Taylor are also expected to see action this weekend.
 
Projected Batting Order
Leading off is the second baseman Fickel, who began last weekend's series with a double in game one, walk in game two and double in game three. On the young season, Fickel is hitting .429, second on TAMUK behind Zach Smith's .462 clip.
 

Player	Pos.	Yr.	B/T	Avg.	H	R	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	Note
Ryan Fickel	2B	Sr.	R/R	.429	6	7	1	0	0	1	0	5-game hit streak
Hayden Vesely	-or-	Jr.	L/R	.300	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	3 starts
Zach Smith	DH	Jr.	R/R	.462	6	7	1	0	0	1	0	team leader in R and BA
Blake Johnson	-or-	Sr.	L/R	.500	3	0	0	0	0	3	1	3 pinch-hit singles
Miles Holcomb	RF	R-Jr.	L/L	.286	4	1	0	0	0	2	0	one start on hill (2/6)
Cline Andrews	3B	Sr.	R/R	.348	8	1	3	0	0	6	0	four hits last weekend
Larren Artis	1B	Jr.	R/R	.250	5	1	1	0	1	3	1	solo shot on Feb. 13
Clint Wallace	C	R-Sr.	R/R	.400	8	3	2	0	0	0	1	5-game hit streak
Brayton Carlson	CF	Jr.	R/R	.267	4	2	0	0	1	1	2	Leads team in SB
JP Phillips	LF	Jr.	L/L	.133	2	2	0	1	0	1	1	leadoff 3B (2/6)
Wesley Aguilar	SS	Jr.	R/R	.286	4	4	0	0	0	2	0	four starts at SS

 
Scouting the Steers
Texas College is 3-11 on the year and compete in the Red River Conference (NAIA). The Javelinas swept the Steers last season and lead the brief all-time series 3-0. Anthony Lehman is batting .432 and paces six hitters that are hitting over .300. Phillip Thomason has blasted two home runs and leads the club with nine RBI. TC has struggled on the mound as a unit, compiling a 8.47 earned run average, but closer Cesar Valtierra has been lights out, striking out six in 6.0 scoreless innings.
 
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