KINGSVILLE, Texas (Baseball) – Earlier this season, they formed one of the most reliable late-inning options for Texas A&M-Kingsville. Today, head coach
Jason Gonzales made a surprising move and gave
Ryan Scott the ball and boy was it masterful. Scott and Cameron's starter Javarias Banks gave fans at Nolan Ryan Field a pitching duel in game one, matching one another with 8.0 innings but speedster
Ryan Fickel scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth with help on a double-play breaking slide by
Clint Wallace to give #RV Texas A&M University-Kingsville (24-15, 18-8 LSC) a 1-0 win over the Aggies (15-23, 8-18 LSC) in game one.
Dustin Luna made the start in game two and shined, going 6.0 innings and allowing two runs – one earned and the Javelinas, who trailed early, regained a 3-2 lead in the fifth and did not look back, earning the sweep with a 7-2 victory Saturday.
Weston Silverberg earned a save in both games to give him four on the year.
"This is a great group of guys that came up big and sacrificed some personal goals to help the team," said Gonzales. "We know how close Ryan is to breaking the record, but he came up huge for us in game one and Dustin followed with a great performance in game two. It is important for us to end the season on a high note and winning four games in a little over 24 hours is no easy feat."
Scott's career day was huge for the Javelinas as the right-hander went 8.0 innings and struck out six in his first ever start in a Javelinas uniform. The right-hander gave the bullpen a much-needed break and extended his scoreless innings streak to 24.0 in the pitching gem.
Game OneScott and Banks continued to put up zeros until the bottom of the eighth when Fickel reached safely on an infield single. After advancing on a sacrifice bunt by
Zach Smith, Fickel moved to third on a wild pitch. An intentional walk to Wallace ensued and on a hard grounder that looked to induce the double play to end the inning, Wallace broke up the relay to first with a clean slide, allowing Fickel to cross the plate and give the Hogs a 1-0 lead.
That was all the Javelinas needed as Silverberg came in to pick up his third save of the season and second of the series with a perfect ninth. Scott improved to 3-2 in the great performance and Banks fell to 0-5 despite striking out four and allowing just one run in the complete game.
With the win, TAMUK blanked its opponents for the fourth time this season.
Game TwoIn just his second start of the season, Luna went 6.0 and allowed just two hits to improve to 1-1 on the year.
After CU took a 2-0 lead, the Hogs struck back to tack on a run on a double by Wallace and an RBI single by Andrews. The Hogs added a run in the fourth to tie the contest at 2-2 on
Wesley Aguilar's sacrifice fly and in the next inning, took a 3-2 lead on an RBI double by
Hayden Vesely.
After the Javelinas loaded the bases, Aguilar drove the ball to left field for a two-run double in the eighth and
Mario Siller followed with a squeeze that plated two to give the Hogs a 7-2 lead. TAMUK scored four runs in the inning.
Christian Caudle went 4-for-4 with a double in the victory and Aguilar finished with three RBI after plating two on a double in the eighth. Every Javelina starter reached base safely in game two.
"Christian plays well above his age," said Gonzales. "It was important to give a workhorse in Clint a breather back there and Christian continues to improve as the season progresses. He played well defensively and he showed his potential with four hits today."
Logan Fanning was tagged with the loss and fell to 1-3 on the year. Silverberg pitched 2.0 scoreless innings to earn his second save of the day and fourth of the season.
The Javelinas return to Nolan Ryan Field on Tuesday to host No. 14/19 St. Edward's University at 6 p.m. Live stats and video will be available.
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.
