Javelinas take the series

Over the weekend, the Texas A&M-Kingsville baseball team (19-9, 3-1 LSC) participated in a three-day contest that exemplifies the best of what America’s pastime has to offer.
After a decisive 6-1 loss in game one, the Javelinas came back an hour later and dealt the visiting West Texas A&M Buffs (22-6,1-3 LSC) an 8-0 thrashing.
Zach Boyett received the win on the bump. The eight players around him were perfect defensively, accruing no errors.
Friday’s double-header was spearheaded offensively by Seth Spinn, Will Arnold and Cameron Melcher.
Outfielder Manny Loredo was another offensive leader in game two, going 2-for-3, scoring once, and knocking in two more.
“It was very exciting,” Loredo said. “To see us take down a very competitive team the way that we did was awesome.”
Game three sparked the wildfire of baseball diamond excitement that would go on to last 22 innings. The Javelinas had a cushy three-run lead going into the ninth, but the Buffs capitalized on defensive errors and shortened the Javelina’s lead to 1. Pitcher Eric Sandoz won the two-out matchup, securing his third win of the season.
Loredo was excited to see the team realize the benefits of their teamwork.
“It allows us to have a good understanding of where we stand collectively as a team. Players rose to the occasion,” Loredo said.
Game four proved to be a barn burner. Tied 3-3 at the end of the ninth inning, the game continued another four innings. In the bottom of the 13th, with the bases load, first baseman Pablo Hernandez dealt the killing blow with a walk-off grand slam.
“Moments like that are what we work for all year. The grand slam ended it, but we as a team played a tremendous game and fought from start to finish,” Hernandez said. “Games like that are why you gotta love baseball.”
Eric Sandoz got the win on the mound, extending his winning record to 4-0.
Offensive leaders in game four included, Hernandez, Loredo, Giancarlo Servin and Austin De Leon.
“It means a lot to beat a good team like them. We work extremely hard to win tough games, and that’s what we did,” Hernandez said.
Both Hernandez and Loredo have their eyes set on their remaining conference games and plan to roll forward off the weekend’s big wins with appreciation and swagger.
“We will continue to work and outcompete our opponents and continue to grind day in and day out to achieve the goals that we’ve set,” Hernandez said. “We will fight and never surrender and give all glory to God.”
“You can expect us to be a very competitive ball club. We don’t take pitches off on either side of the ball,” Loredo said. “Expect energy and a pinch of arrogance.”
The Javelinas continue Lone Star Conference play next week at Cameron in Lawton, Okla.