KINGSVILLE, Texas - The Texas A&M-Kingsville baseball program faces its toughest challenge to date this weekend as No. 1-ranked Angelo State pays a visit to Nolan Ryan Field for a three-game Lone Star Conference series.

The Javelinas defeated Texas A&M International in a midweek matchup on Tuesday, March 23, after taking two of three from Lubbock Christian on the road over the weekend to move to 12-4 on the year with an 11-4 LSC record. The Hogs have won each of their five league series to begin the 2021 season after weather and COVID protocols altered the first three weeks of the campaign.

TAMUK features five batters hitting over .300 on the year with senior Seth Spinn (Holland, Texas) leading the pack with a .373 clip behind 25 hits, six doubles, three triples and three home runs. Right behind him is freshman Damian Rodriguez (McAllen, Texas) swinging at a .349 rate with 22 hits, one double, one triple and two home runs, while junior Giancarlo Servin (Edinburg, Texas) rounds out the top three with a .333 average on 17 hits, one double and four round trippers.

Between the three, Spinn owns 18 RBI and 16 runs scored, followed by 16 RBI and eight runs from Servin and seven RBI and 16 runs from Rodriguez.

The final two Javelinas hitting at the .300 mark include the senior pair of Austin De Leon (Frisco, Texas) at .315 and Kohl Ullman (Houston, Texas) at .304.

The Blue and Gold pitching staff lowered its ERA to 4.63 following the matchup against the Dustdevils, led by junior Kolby Lunsford (Helotes, Texas) out of the starting lineup with a 2-2 records, 25 strikeouts, 26 hits and nine earned runs allowed in 26 innings pitched for a 3.12 ERA.

Classmate Logan Garza (Round Rock, Texas) sits right behind Lunsford with a 4.05 ERA on 46 strikeouts, 20 hits and 12 earned runs in 26.2 innings thrown.

Out of the bullpen, junior Mason Foster (Dilley, Texas) picked up his first save on Tuesday against TAMIU and lowered his ERA to 1.86 through 9.2 innings on the bump with a 1-0 mark, while senior Aldo Buendia (Laredo, Texas) has split time in the field and on the hill with a 4.05 ERA, eight strikeouts and three saves.

Among the league's member institutions who sponsor baseball, Angelo State is far and away the best hitting team with a .380 batting average through 17 games. Eight regular starters own a clip over .350 with returner Josh Elvir leading the top three batters hitting over .400 with a .492 average on 30 hits, seven doubles, one triple, five home runs, 18 RBI and 33 runs scored.

Jordan Williams sits behind him with a .443 clip on 31 hits, doubles and one round tripper, while Parker Bramlett rounds out the top three with a .431 average on 25 hits, seven doubles and one home run.

As if their presence at the plate wasn't enough, the Rams also lead the league in team ERA at 3.25. Anchoring the starting rotation is Benjamin Elder who has made four starts and struck out 20 while allowing just two earned runs in 28.1 innings thrown for a 0.64 ERA.

The day two starter will likely be Trent Baker, whose 1.82 ERA and 40 strikeouts have come in 34.2 innings on the hill. The final starter to see regular action has been Jesse Meyer who bears a 4.57 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 21.2 innings thrown.

Game one of the series is set for Friday, March 26, with first pitch at 6 p.m. CT.  

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-JAVELINAS-