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WTAMU Splits With #7 Texas A&M-Kingsville to Start LSC South Division Play
March 31, 2006
The West Texas A&M University baseball team split two games Friday with #7 Texas A&M University-Kingsville to begin their first Lone Star Conference South division series, dropping game one, 13-0, but coming back to win the second game, 5-4, at Potter County Memorial Stadium in Amarillo. This marks the first time the Buffs have beaten the Javelinas since 2003.
WTAMU is now 1-1 in LSC play, and 16-18 overall. TAMU-K also moves to 1-1 in LSC play, and had their record moved to 26-6.
In game one, WTAMU could not get the offense going against the Javelina's strong pitching staff. Recording a hit a piece from outfielders Cody Dean and Justin Graham. Dean's hit led off the bottom of the 6th, and the Buffs would not have another hit for the rest of the game.
Junior Jessie Rodriguez started for the Buffs and allowed eight runs, four earned, in 7 2/3 innings. He struck out seven batters and gave up 11 hits. Sophomore Frankie Rodriguez finished the game for the Buffs, giving up five runs in 1 1/3 innings.
In game two, the Buffs took a 3-1 lead after RBI singles from sophomore Josh McCreary and junior Tyler Glynn, capped off by Graham's RBI double down the right field line, scoring McCreary. After TAMU-K scored a run in the third inning, WTAMU added to their lead in the fourth, when McCreary scored on a squeeze bunt by Graham. Sophomore Brian Schupp then lined an RBI triple to center field, bringing home Graham, giving WTAMU a 5-2. The Buffs pitching staff gave up two runs in the 6th, but managed to hold the lead, giving WTAMU their first LSC South victory of the season, 5-4.
WTAMU's 7-8-9 hitters went a combined 6-8 with three runs scored and two RBI. McCreary went 3-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Junior A.J. Knight went 2-3 with a run scored. Graham finished 2-3 with 2 RBI and a run scored.
Sophomore Cody Sessions allowed four runs in six innings, giving up only six hits to the Javelina offense and walking one. He moves to 4-3 on the season, 1-0 in LSC South play. Senior Patrick Wallis closed it out in the seventh inning for WTAMU, notching his second save of the season.
The final two games of the series will be Saturday, April 1, with the first pitch being thrown at Noon. WTAMU will hit the road next weekend, facing border-rival Eastern New Mexico University in a four-game LSC battle. The Buffs will return home April 14-15 to host Angelo State University.
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