KINGSVILLE, Texas (Baseball) – Lone Star Conference play begins this weekend as preseason favorite Texas A&M University-Kingsville (6-4) looks to take down No. 25/27 West Texas A&M University (8-4) in a four-game series.
Adjusted due to inclement weather in South Texas, the series begins on Friday, Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. at Nolan Ryan Field with game two set for approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. Live stats will be available for all four games and can be accessed by visiting JavelinaAthletics.com, and Saturday's twin bill will also have a free live stream courtesy of the Javelina Broadcast Network.
The Buffs were ranked as high as No. 10 in the NCBWA Poll, but fell to No. 25 after going 1-2 in a series versus New Mexico Highlands. The Javelinas are coming off a disappointing 7-2 loss to in-region foe Texas A&M International University.
Last Time OutThe Javelinas are coming off a 7-2 setback Tuesday at Texas A&M-International in Laredo. The loss snapped TAMUK's five-game winning streak.
For the season, reigning LSC Hitter of the Week
Cline Andrews paces the club with a .410 batting average, nine runs scored, five doubles, one home run and 12 RBI.
Zach Smith is second in average at .375 and has come around to score 10 times, and
Ryan Fickel is hitting .357 with 10 hits.
As a team, the Javelinas are hitting .303 with 97 hits, including 28 extra-base hits and are 16-of-20 on the bags.
Ryan Benitez (1-1) leads the team with 17 innings pitched and 19 strikeouts in three starts.
Hayden James is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts and 15 innings of work.
TAMUK leads the all-time series 61-40. At Nolan Ryan Field, the Javelinas have earned the series victory in every season since 2001.
One Win Away from HistoryWith his next victory, head coach
Jason Gonzales will tie Hector Salinas for second place on the all-time wins list in Javelina history (190).
Gonzales has led the Hogs to three consecutive NCAA Division II South Central Regional appearances, and TAMUK has been just one out away from advancing to the College World Series in back-to-back seasons.
Closer
Ryan Scott is currently tied with
Juan Obregon for second on the all-time saves list with 16. Scott is just eight saves away from tying the career saves mark in Kingsville.
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