CORPUS CHRISTI - The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi baseball team picked up the series sweep
over Abilene Christian Sunday afternoon at Chapman Field, 8-1. It marks the first sweep for the Islanders (17-15, 7-8 SLC) since the season opener against Saint Peter's.
Senior Jordan Lee continued his hot streak today, going 2-for-4 on the day along with two stolen bases. The outfielder is hitting .579 (11-of-19) over the last week with five RBI's, two home runs and two extra-base hits.
Lee led off the third inning with a walk and later scored on a fielders choice to give the Islanders the lead. Brett Burner later singled to left field with the bases loaded, scoring two runners as the team finished the inning with a 4-0 advantage.
That was all that sophomore Devin Skapura would need as he notched his second win of the year after going five strong innings. The right-hander found himself in early trouble, as ACU was able to put runners on base, but was able to work out of the jam. Skapura allowed six hits on the day and only one run while striking out five Wildcats.
The A&M-Corpus Christi bullpen did its job today as Kevin Landgrebe, Nolan Holland and Kaleb Keith combined for four innings and only gave up two hits to the visitors. Landgrebe, struck out two in two innings while Holland fanned one batter in an inning. Keith finished off ACU in the top of the ninth with a quick 1-2-3 inning, forcing Abilene Christian into three-straight groundouts.
The Islanders would add on four more runs in the fifth inning as they coasted to the win. Senior Tyler Ware opened the frame with a leadoff triple, his fifth triple of the year. Kyle Danford would drive a ball deep to right field in the very next at bat to score Ware from third. Junior Justin Perales also got in on the action, picking up a double that scored both Zacarias Hardy and Danford. The Islanders would go on to record five hits in the inning.
Joining Lee with multiple hits was Hardy, who got his eighth start of the year. Hardy, a Keller, Texas native, went 2-for-4 and scored a run. Burner finished 2-for-3 with two RBI's and while both Danford and Ware went 1-for-4 and scored two runs apiece. Ware added to his team lead of base-on-balls as he reached via a walk for the 27th time this year.
Thomas Altimont (1-7) took the loss for the Wildcats after allowing four runs in two and two thirds inning. ACU used five total pitchers on the day. ACU was led offensively by right fielder Marcelle Carter. Carter finished 2-for-4 and scored the only run for the Wildcats. Aaron Draper also went 2-for-4.
The Islanders return to action Tuesday for a midweek matchup with Houston-Victoria. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Chapman Field.
For updates throughout the season be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@IslandersBSB) and Facebook (Islanders Baseball). Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the Islanders Front Row App at GoIslanders.com/frontrow.
