Kingsville, TX — Texas A&M-Kingsville split the doubleheader against Lubbock Christian on Saturday at Nolan Ryan Field, dropping Game 2 in a tight 3-2 contest before rallying for an 11-9 victory in Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead.
Game 2:
The Javelinas (17-12, 17-12 LSC) kept it close throughout the seven-inning contest but could not plate the tying run when it mattered most, dropping a tight ballgame to the Chaparrals.
Neither team found the scoreboard until the fourth inning, when LCU scratched across an unearned run to take a 1-0 lead. The Javelinas answered immediately in the bottom of the frame, as Cade Minus delivered a sacrifice fly to score Landon Salinas and even it at one apiece.
LCU reclaimed the lead in the fifth with an RBI single through the right side to make it 2-1. The Javelinas would not go away, however, as Minus came through again in the sixth with an RBI double to right field to pull TAMUK level at 2-2 heading into the final inning.
In the seventh, LCU plated what would prove to be the decisive run on an RBI double to left center, giving the Chaparrals a 3-2 advantage the Javelinas could not overcome in the bottom half.
Minus led the offensive effort for TAMUK, finishing 1-for-2 with two RBI. Salinas and Nick Reyes each contributed hits on the afternoon as well. Tyler Schumann took the loss on the mound, falling to 3-1 on the season.
Game 3:
The Javelinas bounced back in a big way in the nightcap, outlasting Lubbock Christian 11-9 in a back-and-forth offensive showcase that saw TAMUK take over with a four-run sixth inning to secure the victory.
LCU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but the Javelinas answered right back. Salinas scored on a passed ball and Nick Reyes followed with an RBI triple to left field to tie the game at two apiece. The Chaparrals would extend their lead to as many as 9-7 through five innings, but the Javelinas kept fighting back each time LCU pulled away.
The turning point came in the bottom of the sixth, as Nathan Gamez singled to right field to plate two runs and Javier Benavides followed with a two-run double down the left field line to give TAMUK an 11-9 lead they would not relinquish. Daniel Cardona earned the win on the mound, improving to 2-3, while Clark Scallon closed it out to earn his first save of the season.
Benavides and Isaiah Aguilar each finished 3-for-4 to pace the offense, with Benavides driving in three runs. Easton Hewitt also went 3-for-3 with a triple and two RBI to round out the big offensive day for the Javelinas.
Texas A&M-Kingsville will look to clinch the series in Game 4 on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Fans can watch the action on FloCollege or follow along at @JavelinaBSB on X.
