LAREDO, Texas (Baseball) – The Javelina offense continued to score at will, collecting 14 runs on 15 hits, led by
Miles Holcomb's 2-for-4 day with six RBI as No. t-25 Texas A&M University-Kingsville (17-7) defeated Texas A&M International University (11-15), 14-6, Tuesday afternoon at Jorge Haynes Field to sweep the regular season series 4-0.
The Javelinas compiled six doubles and four home runs, two coming off the bat of the senior Holcomb. Holcomb hit a three-run bomb in the third and he and
Pablo Hernandez, who entered earlier in the game as a defensive substitution, went back-to-back in the eighth with a three-run home run and solo shot, respectively.
Jimmy Roche also tallied a long ball, going yard on a two-out at-bat in the sixth. Every starter reached base safely and
Hayden Vesely (2-for-4, two runs scored),
Ruben Almaguer (2-for-3, two runs scored,
Hunter Perkins (2-for-5, three RBI, two runs scored), Holcomb and
Alex Gonzalez (2-for-5) recorded multiple hits.
Lance Elling tossed 2.0 scoreless innings, striking out three in relief to earn the victory and improve to 1-0 on the year. Erick Garay was hit with the loss after allowing seven runs in 3.0 innings of work.
Texas A&M-Kingsville struck first in the leadoff inning as Vesely, who singled up the middle with two outs, scored on Perkins' double to give the Hogs a 1-0 lead. TAMIU responded with three runs in the bottom frame to take a 3-1 lead and tacked on a run in the second for a three-run cushion, but the Javelinas answered back with four runs in the third to regain the lead 5-4, with the dagger coming off the bat of Holcomb as his three-run home run gave the Hogs the lead. Vesely doubled to begin the inning and after an Almaguer walk, Perkins singled through the left side to plate Vesely. Holcomb took a 1-2 fastball to the seats for three runs and a 5-4 edge.
After a couple of scoreless innings, Roche zipped a solo shot to give TAMUK a two-run lead in the sixth. Kingsville added a run in the seventh on
Chad Vanaman's bases loaded walk and the big inning came in the eighth as the Javelinas were able to bring five runs on four hits to blow the game open.
The inning was highlighted by power as Holcomb hit his second three-run home run of the game and Hernandez followed with a solo shot to give the Javelinas a 12-4 lead. The Dustdevils added two runs in the bottom of the eighth, and Kingsville added two more runs in the ninth to sweep the regular season series 4-0 with a 14-6 midweek victory.
The Javelinas resume Lone Star Conference action this weekend at Nolan Ryan Field with two games Friday and two games Saturday. Texas A&M-Kingsville is currently in a three-way tie for first place in the tough LSC.
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