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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (Baseball) – Jimmy Roche's three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning cut No. 5/7 St. Edward's University's lead to 5-3 but No. 25 Texas A&M University-Kingsville (34-18) fell to the Hilltoppers (44-10), 8-4, in the first round of the 2016 NCAA South Central Regionals at Sam Suplizio Field.
 
With the loss, the Javelinas will play top seeded and No. 9/6 ranked Colorado Mesa University in an elimination game tomorrow at 1 p.m. CST.
 
After a scoreless leadoff inning for the Javelinas, Preston Plovanich was able to induce a 6-4-3 double play in the bottom frame to keep the game scoreless through 1.0.
 
The Hilltoppers were able to score first with a run in the second on a double/error, taking a 1-0 lead. St. Edward's threatened in the bottom of the third with the bases juiced but Plovanich was able to end the inning unscathed as a double play ended the inning. On the play, SEU was called for interference on the slide at second base, but led 1-0.
 
Christian Caudle doubled with two outs in the top of the fourth, but could not score as the Toppers took a 1-0 edge into the bottom frame.
 
St. Edward's added four runs on two home runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 5-0 lead.
 
The comeback rally began in the top of the sixth with a bunt single by Hayden Vesely, followed by a hit by pitch to Ruben Almaguer. After a visit the mound, Roche cleared the left field wall with an opposite field, three-run shot, cutting TAMUK's deficit to 5-3.
 
After a pitching change by the Hilltoppers, Dalton Perry connected and drilled a pitch behind the left field fence to make it a one-run ballgame.
 
The Hogs threatened to tie the game at 5-5 in the top of the eighth after a two out hit by pitch to Hunter Perkins and infield single by Pablo Hernandez. However, Andrew Boes came into the game for the Toppers and was able to preserve the one-run lead.
 
In the bottom of the inning, St. Edward's added a run on a solo shot to extend its lead to two. Nick Lerick followed with a single but was caught stealing by Caudle for the first out of the frame. SEU added two more runs in the inning for an 8-4 lead. Trey Taylor entered the game with runners at the corners for the Toppers and with one pitch, got a 3-6-1 double play.
 
St. Edward's was able to shut the door in the ninth and take the game, 8-4. With the win, the Hilltoppers advance to take on the winner of Angelo State University/West Texas A&M University and the Javelinas battle host Colorado Mesa University at 1 p.m. CT in an elimination game. The Mavericks fell to Lubbock Christian University, 8-6, Thursday.
 
Roche finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and his sixth home run of the season. Perry was 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot and Caudle and Hernandez added two hits apiece.
 
Plovanich fell to 7-3 after giving up five runs – four earned – in 6.1 innings. Eric Hester improved to 10-2 with five strikeouts in 6.0 innings. Andrew Boes picked up the save with 1.1 scoreless innings.
 
Live stats and video will be available for all games and can be accessed by visiting the baseball schedule page on JavelinaAthletics.com.
 
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