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KINGSVILLE, Texas (Baseball) – Facing two of the top pitchers in the nation, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (17-7, 11-2 LSC) continued to dominate Lone Star Conference play as the top team in the conference defeated No. 13/6 Angelo State University (18-6, 8-5 LSC), 2-0, in game one and 8-1 in game two on Sunday afternoon at Nolan Ryan Field.
 
With the wins, head coach Jason Gonzales earned his 200^th victory as skipper of the Texas A&M-Kingsville squad. 'Gonzo' had a tough task of replacing last year's entire starting rotation and most of the bullpen but thus far, the pitching has been one of the many bright spots of this year's team as the Hogs were able to outduel Angelo's one and two punch (combined 10-0 mark before Sunday's games).
 
"We are at our best when we run and our pitching continued to pitch extremely well," said Gonzales. "To defeat a team of Angelo's caliber, your pitching has to hang zeros and we did that. Hopefully, we can come out and continue to pitch well tomorrow."
 
The Javelinas improved to 14-2 at home and have won eight consecutive ballgames, all LSC contests. With the two wins, the Hogs are now 6-1 against nationally-ranked opponents.
 
Brayton Carlson went 3-of-5 and Zach Smith went 4-for-8 from the plate in the doubleheader. Nicknamed "Fuzzy" by his teammates, Ryan Benitez struck out seven and allowed just three hits in his first career complete game, earning the win in game one with a shutout.
 
Game One
Fans at Nolan Ryan Field were treated to a pitcher's duel in game one as Benitez and Steve Naemark traded scoreless innings back and forth.
 
The Javelinas broke through and struck first on an error. After Ryan Fickel stole second base to move into scoring position, Smith's double down the right field line brought in the second run of the inning and game for the Hogs.
 
Benitez recorded his first career shutout, throwing 79 pitches to improve to 4-1 on the year. Naemark fell to 5-1 despite his five punch outs as the southpaw allowed four hits and two runs – both unearned – in 6.0 innings. Naemark entered with a 0.63 earned run average.
 
Smith and Blake Johnson went 2-for-3 at the dish and each registered a double in the win.
 
Game Two
Hayden James got out of a bases load jam unscathed, settling down to close the top of the second with the bases juiced.
 
A solo shot that hit the left field pole gave ASU a 1-0 lead in the top of the third but the Javelinas plated two in the fourth on a perfectly placed bunt single/error off the bat of Carlson. The bunt and errant throw allowed the Hogs to overtake the Rams with a 2-1 lead after four.  
 
Fickel singled through the left side with one out in the fifth and came around to score on a fielder's choice to give TAMUK a 3-1 edge.
 
The Hogs added two runs in the seven on doubles by Smith and Cline Andrews and an RBI single by Carlson.
 
Another inning, same result for Texas A&M-Kingsville as back-to-back leadoff doubles by Jimmy Roche and Fickel began the bottom of the eighth. A wild pitch allowed another Kingsville run to cross the plate and Johnson drove in his first run of the game to give the Hogs a seven-run lead heading into the final inning.
 
James allowed just one run in 4.0 innings, but picked up the no-decision. Earning the win for the Javelinas was right-hander Dean Fleitman (1-0) who was making his first appearance at Nolan Ryan Field as a member of the baseball squad. Fleitman struck out all three batters he faced in the fifth inning. LSC Preseason Pitcher of the Year Blake Bass (5-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing 10 hits and four runs – three earned – in 6.0 innings.
 
Fickel went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored and Andrews, Smith and Wallace added two hits apiece. Carlson went 3-for-3 with two RBI and is now hitting .397 on the year, continuing his sensational month of March.
 
The series concludes tomorrow with two games, scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Live stats and video will be available and can be accessed by visiting JavelinaAthletics.com, the official home of Texas A&M-Kingsville athletics.
 
For full coverage of Kingsville baseball, please follow @TAMUKBaseball14 on Twitter and @JavelinaAthletics on Instagram, like our Facebook page (Javelina Nation) and subscribe to the JavelinaAthletics YouTube channel.