KINGSVILLE, Texas (Baseball) – The Texas A&M-Kingsville baseball team scored eight runs, while holding Tarleton State to just one on Saturday afternoon in front of 431 at Nolan Ryan Field. The Javelinas swept the twin bill, winning 5-1 and 3-0 over the Texans to ensure a series victory.

A&M-Kingsville improved to 15-7 and 3-0 in conference play with the wins. #RV Tarleton State fell to 16-11 and is now 0-3 in LSC play.

The Hogs have now won four straight after their seven-game losing streak. TSU has dropped five of its last six contests.

GAME ONE
Tarleton State got on the board first. After Francisco Rodriguez singled off of Javelina starter Preston Plovanich, Dylan Lemons knocked a double into the left field corner to put the Texans in the lead 1-0.

From that point forward, Plovanich would take control. The sophomore went seven innings, surrendering six hits, two walks, just the one run, and striking out two hitters. Plovanich (3-1) threw 61 of his 87 pitches for strikes.

The Javs offense got going in a big way in the fourth inning. Christian Caudle doubled and Hunter Perkins reached on an error to put two on. Two batters later, Levi Zents banged the second of his two singles into center to score Caudle and tie the game at 1. Pablo Hernandez would keep the rally going with a double down the left field line to score Perkins and put the Hogs in the lead. Alec Kana would cap the inning with a sacrifice bunt which scored Zents and a hustling Hernandez.

TAMUK manufactured an insurance run in sixth. Alex Gonzalez grounded out allowing Payton Geisinger to score to provide the final tally.

Evan Pontley (4-1) was saddled with the loss after pitching six innings for the Texans and allowing eight hits and five runs.

GAME TWO
The headline of game two was Isaiah Lybarger. The junior transfer from Wharton Junior College threw a one-hit complete game shutout. He struck out nine batters, walked three, and allowed just six base runners in the entire contest.

The Javelinas got single runs in the second, third, and fifth innings. A single by Hunter Lehman scored Hernandez to get the Javs on the board. Zents hit into a fielder's choice the following inning to force in another run. Pablo notched his second RBI of the twin bill by hitting a grounder that scored Caudle in the fifth.

The Blue and Gold did strand seven runners on the bases but made the most of four hits to ensure victory.  

NEXT UP
The Pack finishes up the four-game set against the Texans with a 1 p.m. tilt on Sunday afternoon. The long home stand for the Javelinas will come to an end on Thursday when TAMUK takes on St. Mary's.
 
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