April 7, 2012
Final Stats
LAREDO - After scoring only three combined runs in the first two games of their series versus Arkansas Fort-Smith, the Texas A&M International University baseball doubled that total in game three shutting out the Lions 6-0.
The Dustdevils combined for 12 hits in Saturday's game with every single batter in the TAMIU lineup getting at least one hit. Jeff Anderson had a another great day at the plate finishing 2-4 with two runs scored. Matt Arruda also finished 2-4 at the plate followed by teammate Jeremy Olivo who was 2-5 with an RBI.
Three TAMIU pitchers combined to shutout the Lions with Danny Navarro picking up the win, improving to 7-2. Manolo Mendoza started on the mound for TAMIU, but came out after only 2.0 innings after getting in early trouble. Navarro pitched the next 6.0 innings giving no runs on four hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Chris Villa came on to close in the ninth and held the visitor to just one hit.
With the win the Dustdevils improve to 12-15 in conference play, cutting Arkansas Fort-Smith's lead for the final playoff spot to just a half game. Three more conference series' remain for TAMIU starting with a trip to Wichita, Kansas April 13 to battle Newman University. The Dustdevils conclude with series' against St. Mary's at home and St. Edward's on the road. TAMIU will travel to Tahlequah, Oklahoma prior to their series versus Newman to battle Northeastern State on April 11.
The Dustdevils scored the first runs of the game in the bottom of the third thanks to two timely hits and an error by the UAFS defense. Sean Smedley drew a lead-off walk but was thrown out at second on a fielder's choice by Hector Gonzalez. With the hit and run on, Anderson singled to right field advancing Gonzalez to third. After Anderson stole second, Jeremy Olivo singled up the middle to give the Dustdevils a 1-0 lead. Two batters later Austin Voros reached on an error by Lions shortstop Nick Gumm, his fifth of the series, allowing Anderson to come across.
With two away in the fifth, Will Wurth hit a triple to center field and was plated by Austin Voros who followed with a double to left center. With the bases loaded in the seventh, Alex Salas hit an RBI single to right field scoring Voros from third.
The next batter Sean Smedley grounded to Lions first baseman Gordon Miller who tried to get force out at home, but an errant throw allowed Roberto Castillo to score giving TAMIU a 5-0 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth Austin Voros delivered the final run of the game for TAMIU, scoring Anderson on a sacrifice fly to left field.
