The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi baseball team made an
impressive debut at Whataburger Field in front of 500 fans sweeping
a doubleheader with Texas Southern 14-6 and 18-2 on Saturday. The
two teams will meet in their series finale at Islander Field at
noon on Sunday.
In the opening game, the Islanders saved their best for last
scoring 14 runs in their final two at bats.
Trailing 6-4 heading into the bottom of the sixth after allowing,
the Islanders exploded for 10 runs on five hits, four walks, two
hit batters and an error.
After Clint Galloway scored on a wild pitch by Sam Nottebart, Ernie
Olivarez lined a two-run single to center to plate scoring pinch
runner Tommy Sadler and Bryan Gerondale. Following a bases-loaded
walk by Randy Aguayo, Olivarez scored on a sacrifice fly by Ruben
Munoz. Galloway made his second trip to the plate and single to
drive in Aguayo. Gerondale capped of the inning by blasting a
three-run home run to left off Danilo Carcamo.
The Islanders had fallen behind in the top of the inning when the
Tigers scored five runs - one earned - on one hit taking advantage
of a pair of infield errors. After walking to leadoff the inning
Deshaun Dilworth scored from second on a single by Adam Sellers to
left field. With two outs, Herman Coachman reached on an error
scoring Ulysis Starling. Sellers scored as Lindon Bond drew a bases
loaded walk. Coachman and Jordan Bush plated the final two runs of
the inning.
David Williams had helped give the Islanders a 4-1 lead in the
bottom of the fifth by blasting a two-run home run to left. Josh
Plumaj drove in Gerondale with a double and scored on a two-base
hit to right by Olivarez.
Williams the game with a team-high three hits, while Galloway,
Olivarez and Cory Jordan each had two. Williams, Gerondale and
Olivarez each drove in three runs.
Josh Mitchell got the opening game start for the Islanders allowing
a run on three hits in 4-2/3 innings while striking out two before
being relieved by Chris Wall, who allowed three runs in an 1/3 of
an inning. Esteban Sanchez and Matt Wilson each tossed an
inning.
In the second game, the Islanders spotted the Tigers a run in the
top of the fourth, but responded by scoring 18 times in the final
five at bats.
Tied at one in the fifth, Galloway tripled and scored on a passed
ball, while Gerondale hit his second home run of the evening to
give the Islanders a 3-1 lead.
Miguel Mercado sealed the win in the sixth with a grand slam home
run off Brian Guillory to cap a six run inning. The Islanders added
eight in the seventh and one run in the eighth.
Olivarez led the Islanders with three hits and added two RBI and
three runs scored. Mercado, Galloway and Ruben Munoz each had two
hits in the game.
Pat Criss earned the win in his debut for A&M-Corpus Christi.
Criss tossed 5-1/3 innings scattering four hits and fanning six.
Will Norman pitched 2-2/3 innings striking out four and Aguayo
tossed a scoreless ninth inning.
