Hounds split pair against Javelinas

For about 12 innings, it looked like the Eastern New Mexico University baseball team was well on its way to a Lone Star Conference doubleheader sweep on Friday at Greyhound Field.

But junior center fielder Dalton Kramer capped a three-run sixth with a tying two-run double, and an RBI double by senior right fielder Jake Chapman in the seventh lifted Texas A&M-Kingsville to a 7-6 victory.

In the opener, the Hounds put together a six-run first, junior left fielder Luciano Terilli went 3-for-3 with a walk and junior right-hander Gavin Perry pitched six strong innings in a 13-1 victory.

The teams were to play a nine-inning single game on Saturday, then wrap up the series with a 1 p.m. nine-inning matchup today.

Junior right-hander Sergio Lopez (1-1) pitched out of a two-on, two-out jam in the sixth, retiring all four batters he faced for the win. The Hounds (5-5, 5-5 LSC) broke a 3-3 tie with a three-run rally in the fifth after the first two hitters were retired, getting a bases-loaded wild pitch by freshman right-hander Julius Rivas and a two-run throwing error by senior shortstop Michael Cervantes.

Junior right-hander Adrian Rubio pitched into the sixth for ENMU, leaving with a 6-4 lead after throwing 87 pitches. Junior right-hander Josaiah Estrella (1-1) worked the seventh and took the loss.

ENMU trailed 2-0 early, but took a 3-2 lead on a two-run double by junior catcher Daniel Pruitt in the bottom of the third. The Javelinas (4-7, 3-7) tied it in the fourth on a run-scoring double by Cervantes.

Terilli and Pruitt both went 2-for-3, giving Terilli a 5-for-6 performance for the twin bill.

“Those are the worst kinds (of games) to lose,” ENMU coach Riley Price said. “We made some very costly mistakes on defense and on the bases, which just can’t happen.”

Game 1, though, was a different story.

ENMU essentially put the contest away in the opening frame, ignited by a leadoff home run from freshman center fielder Tucker Gideon, his second of the season.

Terilli’s infield hit scored senior Cooper Hamilton and made it 2-0, and a two-out, bases-loaded error by Javelinas second baseman Garett Thompson added a third run. Junior third baseman Landon Pyles then followed with his second three-bagger of the season, and the damage was done.

Junior right-hander Gavin Perry (1-2) worked six strong innings, allowing three singles and only an unearned run while walking two and striking out four. Junior right-hander Marc Rios tossed a perfect seventh.

“Gavin Perry threw a gem and did a great job setting the tone for the weekend,” Price said. “We swung it well and capitalized on their mistakes (to take) control of the game.”

Nine of ENMU’s 11 hits were singles. Junior shortstop Willie Ponce went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI while Pyles was 2-for-4 and drove in a fourth run with a groundout.

Kingsville somewhat limited the damage by turning three double plays, including two which produced a run. The Javelinas added a fourth twin killing in Game 2.

After today’s game, the Hounds return to action in a four-game series at Austin against St. Edward’s, starting with a nine-inning single tilt at noon (MST) on Friday.