KINGSVILLE, Texas (Baseball) – The game started on the right foot with the Javelinas jumping out to a 2-0 lead on a two-run triple by
Hayden Vesely. However, #RV/T-30 West Texas A&M University (35-17) responded with 11 runs in two innings to eliminate Texas A&M University-Kingsville (29-23), 11-5, on Thursday evening at Nolan Ryan Field.
The game was the third and final of day one of the Lone Star Conference Championship and it was also the first elimination game of the tournament.
"We had our opportunities and it just wasn't our day," said head coach
Jason Gonzales, who was named co-LSC Coach of the Year at last night's banquet. "We always have high expectations here and we hoped to get to the NCAA South Central Region Tournament but we did reach some goals this season. There were a lot of great accomplishments this season and we will be able to look back at those somewhere down the line, but right now, we ended with a sour taste in our mouths."
Ryan Scott (4-4) tossed four scoreless innings before a big fifth by WT gave the Buffs a 4-3 lead. He finished with eight earned runs and five strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Justin McAllister (2-2) struck out eight in 4.2 innings out of the Buffs bullpen to earn his second win of the season.
A two-out rally in the first gave the Javelinas a 2-0 lead after
Clint Wallace walked and
Clint Andrews doubled down the line. Vesely followed with a triple to deep center to give TAMUK a 2-0 lead.
Held scoreless through the first four innings, WT scored four in the top of the fifth to take a 4-2 lead. The Javelinas responded with three in the bottom frame on two hits but the Buffs countered with seven in the top of the sixth to overtake the lead, 11-5.
Vesely went 1-for-2 with two RBI and Wallace and Andrews crossed the plate twice. For the Buffs, Josh Day went 1-for-4 but his lone hit was the dagger – a grand slam in the sixth – to extend the Buffalo lead.
With the loss, the Javelinas' season comes to a close. Texas A&M-Kingsville went 29-23 in 2015 and earned its sixth LSC regular season crown. West Texas advances to play the loser of tomorrow's game at 3 p.m. between No. 3 Angelo State University and No. 4 Tarleton State University.
The 2015 campaign saw five players named to the All-LSC First Team –
Ryan Benitez,
Ryan Scott,
Matt Terrones,
Clint Wallace and
Cline Andrews, an All-LSC Second Team honoree,
Brayton Carlson and an honorable mention selection in
Hayden Vesely.
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