SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville baseball teamed proved to be too strong for the University of the Incarnate Word on Saturday winning 12-1 and 2-1 at Sullivan Field.  The doubleheader sweep completed the series sweep for the visitors. (Game 1, Game 2)

The first game was all Javelinas (34-15, 17-10) as they scored in each of the first three innings and starting pitcher Taylor Taska handcuffed the Cardinals (26-23, 12-15) bats giving up just two hits through the first seven innings.  UIW finally scored a run in the eighth inning, but it was too late as the Hoggies picked up a run-rule victory.

The Cardinals managed five hits overall.  Derrick Walls (San Antonio/Reagan HS) drove in the only run with a single.  Jesus Berduzco (Sacramento, CA/Foothill HS) took the loss after allowing 10 hits and eight runs in 6.0 innings.

The Javelinas pounded out 14 hits and were led by Ben Villafuerte's 4-for-4 performance that including four runs, an RBI and a stolen base.  Taska helped himself at the plate going 2-for-4 with three RBI's, a triple and a run.  James Black went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI's.  Taska picked up the complete game victory allowing five hits, one run and one walk while striking out four to improve to 7-2.

The second game matched up an excellent pitching battle between Geno Encina (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) of UIW and Matt Rhodes of the Javelinas.  Both pitchers took shutouts into the sixth inning.

The Cardinals broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Blake Woosley (Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) led off the inning with a single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt.  Jason Stone (Georgetown/Georgetown HS) followed with a single to put the Cardinals on top 1-0.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Javelinas responded.  Trent Wagner drilled a one-out triple to deep right center field.  He scored on a sacrifice fly from David Massey to tie the game and send it to extra innings.

In the top of the eighth inning, Taska came through again for the Javelinas.  He drilled a 3-1 pitch over the left field wall to provide the winning margin of victory.

Encina took the loss for the Cardinals despite allowing just six hits, two runs and one walk while striking out three in 8.0 innings.  Rhodes improved to 6-3 for the Javelinas after holding the Cardinals to three hits, one run and two walks while striking out three.

The Cardinals will now wait to see who they play in the Lone Star Conference Tournament in Canyon, TX next weekend.
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