KINGSVILLE, Texas - The Texas A&M-Kingsville baseball program hosts Texas A&M International on Tuesday, March 23, in a midweek, non-conference matchup starting at 6 p.m. CT at Nolan Ryan Field.
The Javelinas are coming off their fifth series win to open the 2021 spring season after taking two from Lubbock Christian on the road over the weekend. TAMUK now stands with an 11-4 record both overall and in conference play.
Following the series versus the Chaps, senior Seth Spinn (Holland, Texas) and junior Giancarlo Servin (Edinburg, Texas) remain as the two Hogs hitting over .350 on the year. Spinn has compiled 24 hits, six doubles, two triples and three home runs for a .381 clip to go with 18 RBI, while Servin has tabbed 17 hits, one double, four home runs, and 15 RBI leading into a .362 average.
Freshman Damian Rodriguez (McAllen, Texas) is slotted third on the team hitting .339 with 20 hits, one double, one triple and two home runs. Senior Austin De Leon (Frisco, Texas) slots fourth on the team as the final Javelina hitter with a .300-plus batting average as his 17 hits, four doubles, one triple and two home runs have resulted in a .315 clip.
The Blue and Gold pitching staff moved its team ERA to 4.81, led by junior Kolby Lunsford (Helotes, Texas) whose 3.12 ERA in five appearances with four starts leads the starting rotation. Lunsford has struck out 25 in his 26 innings, issued only three walks and allowed only 26 hits.
Classmate Logan Garza (Round Rock, Texas) turned in a 15-strikeout performance for the no-decision in Saturday's matchup with LCU, the most by any Javelina pitcher since All-American Garrett Murdy posted a new program record with 19 in a matchup against Tarleton on March 5, 2004.
Garza leads the team with 46 in 26.2 innings on the hill, coupled with 20 hits and 13 walks for a 4.05 ERA.
Senior Aldo Buendia (Laredo, Texas) has made five relief appearances on the year while splitting double duties as a middle infielder. On the mound, the transfer from UTSA has picked up three saves with eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings for a 4.05 ERA.
TAMIU is reeling after getting swept by No. 1 Angelo State on the road this past weekend. Overall, the Dustdevils are 6-15, have dropped six of their last seven games, and haven't won a series since the season-opening matchup with UT Permian Basin.
Jerry Villareal leads the team with a .383 average on 23 hits, six doubles and two home runs. The only other Dustdevil to eclipse a .300 average is Brock Hargens who has done so with 16 hits, four doubles, one triple and one home run for a .302 mark.
TAMIU's pitching owns a 7.88 team ERA through 21 games with Abanny Garcia leading the way with a 3.26 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 30.1 innings pitched for a 1-2 record across five starts. Hugo Mendiola has been the go-to reliever out of the bullpen with 11 relief appearances and a 6.43 ERA in 14 innings thrown behind eight strikeouts.
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