HOUSTON (Baseball) – Fresh off its annual alumni game, #RV Texas A&M University-Kingsville (3-0) looks to dominate the 2017 Houston Winter Invitational at Minute Maid Park, home of Major League Baseball's Houston Astros this weekend. The Javelinas battle #RV/RV Chico State University (6-2) Friday at 2 p.m., the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (5-2) Saturday at 10 a.m. and #RV St. Mary's University (4-3) Sunday at 6 p.m.
 
Live stats and audio will be available on JavelinaAthletics.com. Links are posted on the baseball schedule page.
 
FIRST PITCH
This weekend will be the second time the Javelinas participate in the Houston Winter Invitational. In 2013, the Hogs went 3-1, highlighted by an upset victory over No. 4 and host University of Central Missouri 4-1 Feb. 1. The win "changed the direction of our program" said head coach Jason Gonzales as the Hogs went on to win the 2013 Lone Star Conference championship, LSC tournament championship and were one out away from winning the NCAA Division II South Central Region title.
 
COMING OFF OF…
Texas A&M-Kingsville swept Wiley College in the opening series. The 20-4 victory Feb. 4 was the 250^th career victory for skipper Jason Gonzales.
 
Pablo Hernandez hit .583 with three doubles and seven RBI in the three games. Christian Caudle posted a historic .900 on-base percentage with seven walks in the three-game series versus the Wildcats, adding five runs scored. Dallas Stefano drove in five.
 
On the mound, Seth Hubert threw 6.0 shutout innings, punching out eight and allowing just an infield single in the opening night win. Hunter Perkins struck out six in 4.1 innings and the bullpen combined for 9.2 innings of one-run (unearned) ball.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES
Friday will be the first matchup between the Pack and Wildcats and Saturday will be the first between the Hogs and the Lions. The Javelinas and Rattlers meet annually and St. Mary's is ahead 51-27-1.
 
ABOUT CHICO STATE
The Wildcats have won four consecutive games heading into Houston. Andru Cardenas is hitting .417 with six runs scored and five stolen bases, while Josh Falco is batting .412. On the rubber, Chico State boasts a 2.43 team ERA. Hunter Haworth is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA in two starts and 16 strikeouts in 10.0 innings, Casey Costello is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA and Cam Greenough with a 2-0 mark and 1.80 ERA. Closer Joe Wagner is a perfect 3-for-3 in save opportunities.
 
The Wildcats are receiving votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association and American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Polls.
 
ABOUT ARKANSAS-FORT SMITH
The Lions are 5-2 behind a strong pitching staff that compiled a 2.90 ERA. Despite a team batting average of .238, UAFS is led by Brennan Dooley's .333 clip. Evan Dodd (2-0, 2.77 ERA, 12 strikeouts in 13.0 innings), Hayden Harvey (1-0, 2.84 ERA, 12.2 innings) and Tyler Nelson (1-1, 5.40 ERA, 12 strikeouts in 10.0 innings) compile the Lions rotation.
 
ABOUT ST. MARY'S
The Rattlers hit with the best of them, entering Houston with a team batting average of .326. Donnie Perez blasted two home runs and drove in 12 with a .483 batting average, Beau Barnes follows at .474 with four RBI and Jack Kaiser is hitting .444 with a home run and seven RBI.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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