KINGSVILLE, Texas - The Texas A&M-Kingsville baseball program erased a 3-1 lead from Texas A&M International on Tuesday at Nolan Ryan Field and used a two-run home run from redshirt senior Kohl Ullman (Houston, Texas) in the bottom of the eighth to seal the non-conference midweek matchup at 6-5.
"We've had momentum going well for us," said head coach Jason Gonzales, "and it was important we try and keep it tonight. Most importantly we were able to pitch and throw a lot of guys who had been working hard but haven't had the opportunity yet to play. I'm extremely proud of our pitching staff with the way they came in and gave the hitters the chance to win."
The Javelinas (12-4) were knotted 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth with the Dustdevils (6-16) and got a timely two-run shot to left from Ullman to take the lead for good.
"We got a big hit at the end by Kohl [Ullman] again," added Gonzales. "So hopefully we keep this momentum going into a very big weekend."
TAMUK went pitcher-by-committee to the truest extent of the word as nine different hurlers took to the mound to get the win. The last two to see action ended up as the pitchers of record as junior Tyler Flores (San Antonio, Texas) and classmate Mason Foster (Dilley, Texas) received the win and the save, respectively.
Another upperclassman in Giancarlo Servin (Edinburg, Texas) started the scoring for the Hogs as he reached safely on a TAMIU miscue while Ullman trotted home in the bottom of the first. The visitors took the lead back in the top of the second after Sergio Esqueda drilled a three-run blast to left, though all three runs went in as unearned by virtue of a Javelina error earlier in the frame.
The hosts tied the game in the bottom of the third after Ullman scored on a wild pitch from Nick Muniz ahead of senior Aldo Buendia's (Laredo, Texas) single to left that plated freshman Damian Rodriguez (McAllen, Texas) on another Dustdevil error.
TAMUK grabbed the lead in the bottom of the fourth when Rodriguez dropped a diving liner into left to score senior Seth Spinn (Holland, Texas), who led off the inning with a tripled roped into deep left center, but TAMIU knotted the score yet again in the top of the eighth after Luis Flores crossed home on a groundball double play from Matt Kissamis.
Momentum began in the Hogs' favor in the bottom half of the frame after a leadoff walk, but a Steven Grimes pickoff and a groundout to the following batter put two outs on the board.
Redshirt sophomore Caleb Nash (San Antonio, Texas) ended up on base with what ended up as a critical five-pitch walk, as Ullman took the second offering of his at bat for a ride over the left field wall for a two-run cushion heading into the final inning.
The visitors put runners at second at third with one out, but Foster got an inconsequential sacrifice fly to left before he struck out Daniel Quiroz on five pitches to pick up his first career save in a Blue and Gold uniform.
Both Ullman and Rodriguez ended up with multiple hits, while Ullman was responsible for three RBI and two runs scored.
The Javelinas now turn their attention to a weekend Lone Star Conference series with top-ranked Angelo State starting Friday, March 26, at Nolan Ryan Field.
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