Sports

Javelinas fall at Houston Winter Invitational

Colby Sims February 7, 2019

Baseball is back in Lone Star Conference (LSC) play and the Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) baseball team started off the season at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, home of the Houston Astros. The Javelinas started off their season at the Houston Winter Invitational on Feb. 1 against St. Cloud State.
The Javelinas are coming off a big season last year with a regional tournament win and a College World Series appearance.
The Javelinas began slow and went down 2-0 by the third. St Cloud then pushed their lead to 7-0 in the 8th inning. Before the end of the game the Javelinas managed to put a couple runs on the board, courtesy of an RBI double from Giancarlo Servin. The Javelinas ended up losing, 7-2.
Day two of the of the Winter Invitational, the Javelinas faced No. 20 Central Missouri. The offensive bats improved and the Javelinas scored six runs in the game with two RBIs from pinch hitter Austin De Leon. However, six runs were not enough as Missouri Central put up 11 runs in the game and the Javelinas lost, 11-6.
The final day of the Houston Winter Invitational the Javelinas took on Arkansas Tech. The Javelinas scored 11 runs in the game and had big offensive performances from Kohl Ullman, Manny Laredo and Seth Spinn. Ullman and Laredo each had three RBIs in the game and Spinn added two of his own. But, 11 runs ended up not being enough as Arkansas Tech had the hotter bats and the Javelinas lost, 13-11.
When asked about the tournament Junior outfielder Dax McCleary said the team started off slow.
“We started off slow, but we plan on getting back on track, it’s early in the season and we will improve every week,” he said.
The Javelinas will look to return to their winning ways on Feb. 7 against Newman during the Alpine 4-Him Classic in Cleburne, Texas.
Javelina fans are excited about the team’s season, especially considering last year’s performance.
“We were so close…this next one is our year, we have a lot of fresh legs,” said Patricia Gerragauch, a Kingsville native about the Javelinas’ historic season last year.