Feb. 27, 2009

Final Stats

One big inning pushed Texas A&M International University to a 6-3 Heartland Conference win over Lincoln on Friday afternoon at a sunny Dustdevil Field. Lincoln scored one run in the second inning but a six-run fifth inning was the difference maker for the Dustdevils.

Ricky Hernández led off the fifth with a walk before José Sánchez and Danny Cornejo reached base on bunt singles. Rey Alvrez then hit a ground ball to the Lincoln second baseman but the fielder misplaced the ball, allowing two runs to score.

Ryan Flynn then came up with two runners on and no outs and blasted a line drive home run over the left field wall to push the lead to 5-1. Kike Granados scored the final run of the inning on a throwing error by the Lincoln (4-10, 3-10 Heartland) catcher, taking home after stealing third base.

Danny Navarro relieved starting pitcher Jorge Guarneros in the top of the eighth inning with two outs and a runner on second and TAMIU (7-7, 6-5 Heartland) leading 6-3. He got the first batter he faced to pop out to the catcher and picked up his second save of the season after contributing a scoreless ninth inning.

Guarneros (2-1) picked up the win. He allowed three runs on seven hits with a season-high nine strikeouts in a 7.2 inning outing.

TAMIU and LU will conclude the three-game series with a doubleheader tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Dustdevil Field.