KINGSVILLE, Texas (Baseball) – JP Phillips,
Cline Andrews and
Ryan Fickel each went 2-for-4 and the Javelinas put together a furious ninth-inning rally but fell just short as No. 11 St. Mary's University (33-12) defeated #RV Texas A&M University-Kingsville (26-21), 4-3, on Tuesday evening at Nolan Ryan Field.
The Javelinas brought the tying run to the plate after
David Massey was hit by a pitch with two outs and Fickel and pinch hitter
Miles Holcomb recorded back-to-back singles to load the bases.
Christian Caudle, who entered an inning earlier as a defensive replacement, followed with an RBI single to plate TAMUK's first run of the game, making it a 4-1 game. Andrews' single through the left side made it a 4-2 game and left the bases juiced.
Hayden Vesely, one of the Lone Star Conference's most disciplined hitters (31 walks), registered a four-pitch walk to put the tying run 90 feet away but the Hogs could not complete the comeback.
After a scoreless first, StMU scored two runs in the second to take a 2-0 lead. The Javelinas threatened in the bottom of the fourth, pitting runners in scoring position with no outs. However, the Rattlers were able to escape after striking out a hitter and turning a double play, preserving their two-run lead.
St. Mary's tacked on another run in the fifth to take a 3-0 lead. Small ball allowed StMU to add a run in the seventh.
Mitchell Bro tossed three innings out of the bullpen, striking out three and
Lance Elling followed with 3.0 innings of his own.
Trey Taylor threw a perfect ninth.
Hayden James (4-4) fell to 4-4 in what was probably his final start of the regular season after allowing two runs in 2.0 innings. Cole Hybner (1-1) earned his first win of the season after a seven-inning performance.
The Javelinas close out the 2015 regular season at home with a three-game series versus Tarleton State University. Game one begins on Friday, May 1 at 6 p.m.
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.
