AUSTIN, Texas (Baseball) – Lone Star Conference and National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association Hitter and Pitcher of the Week
Hayden Vesely blasted a three-run shot to cap off a seven-run second inning that gave the Javelinas a lead and No. 26 Texas A&M University-Kingsville (27-13) never looked back, completing the upset over No. 9/t-17 St. Edward's University (31-10), 9-6, Wednesday afternoon at Lucian-Hamilton Field.
Teamed with the big inning, the Javelina bullpen tossed 7.1 scoreless innings before allowing just one run in the ninth at one of the toughest ballparks in all of NCAA Division II. The Hilltoppers entered as the No. 2 team in the NCBWA South Central Region and with just nine losses on the year. Vesely's three-run home run was his third long ball of the season.
Ruben Almaguer and
Wesley Aguilar each went 2-for-4 and Almaguer added two runs.
Jimmy Roche reached base safely four times after going 1-for-2 with two runs and three walks.
After the Hilltoppers scored three runs in the first, the Javelinas continued to mount big innings as TAMUK scored seven runs on four hits in the top of the second to take a 7-3 lead. Almaguer led off the frame with a single and after Roche's first walk of the game,
Christian Caudle singled to load the bases.
Miles Holcomb drove in the team's first run of the game and another run scored on an error to make it a 3-2 lead. Aguilar followed with a single to reload the bases and the top of the order (
Dalton Perry) tied the contest with a sacrifice fly.
Zach Smith walked and Holcomb scored on a wild pitch to give the Hogs the 4-3 edge. After a pitching change, Vesely blasted a three-run shot to cap off the seven-run inning as Kingsville jumped out to a 7-3 lead.
St. Edward's responded with two runs in the bottom of the second, but the Javelina bullpen tossed 7.1 scoreless innings before allowing just one run in the ninth to complete the upset victory, 9-6.
Jako Kelm,
Lance Elling,
Shane Veeder,
Trey Taylor and
Hunter Lehman came out of the 'pen for TAMUK. Kelm (4-2) was credited with the victory after going 2.1 innings while Bryce Davis (1-3) was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs – two earned – in 1.2 innings. Gable Whitacre went 3-for-4 for SEU and four others registered two or more base knocks.
The Javelinas return to Nolan Ryan Field, a stadium in which they are 17-8, for four games, including a three-game homestand against LSC opponent Eastern New Mexico University. The series begins on Friday at 6 p.m. followed by a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. Prior to the game, Kingsville's 10 seniors will be honored for their contributions to the Javelina baseball program.
Be sure to follow the six-time Lone Star Conference championships on Twitter (
@JavelinaBSB) and Instagram (
@JavelinaBSB), and like the
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