San Angelo, TX - Texas A&M-Kingsville could not keep up with Angelo State as it fell, 4-14, Friday from Foster field in game one of the Lone Star Conference Tournament.
Self-inflicted wounds doomed the Javelinas (25-26, 25-25 LSC), with six errors committed on defense allowing the Rams (37-14, 36-14 LSC) to jump out to an early lead. It would not be until the fourth inning in which the Javelinas would respond, but the lead was too great to overcome as they dropped game one.
Brian Buchanan would get his first career post-season start, only lasting 2.1 innings.
Niko Garcia and
Xando Castillo were the first two arms called out of the bullpen, with Castillo racking up three strikeouts.
Ruben Rendon III would finish the game for the Javelinas, registering the final two outs.
The Javelinas got their scoring started after
Nick Reyes ripped a triple into right field to put him 90 feet away from home plate.
Landon Salinas then brought him home with a single to give the Javelinas their first run of the game. Any momentum captured from that moment were quickly dashed however, as the Rams put a crooked number on the board making it a 9-1 ballgame.
Salinas got another run across the board in the sixth with a SAC-RBI to cut into the deficit, however the Rams scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to put the Javelinas in run-rule territory. A walk from
Easton Hewitt and a single from
Travis Vlasek got a pair of Javelinas in scoring position before
Braden Duff ripped one in right field to drive in a pair, but it was too-little too-late as the Javelinas dropped game one.
Texas A&M-Kingsville will look to even up the series against Angelo State Saturday at 3:00 pm. Fans of the Javelinas can watch the game on FloCollege or follow the action at JavelinaBSB on X.
