HAMMOND, La. – Standing toe-to-toe with the Southland Conference leader Southeastern Louisiana, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi fell 3-1 as Webb Bobo's 2-run home run on a full count with two outs in the bottom of the sixth provided the difference in the series opener.
For the Islanders (9-11, 2-2 SLC), junior Brian Deaver produced a standout night, going 3-for-4 at the plate with his first career home run. The right fielder and junior college transfer took preseason All-American hurler Kyle Cedotal (4-2) deep to right to lead off the fifth inning. At the time, the long ball tied the game at 1-1.
But, two innings later, the Lions (16-6, 7-0) retook the lead on Bobo's two-run shot. It was the lone mistake in an otherwise stellar night on the mound for freshman Aaron Hernandez (1-2), who tossed the final 4 2/3 innings in the tough loss.
"We have a lot of new faces who are still getting used to the speed of the DI game," said head coach Scott Malone. "I think our best baseball is still coming and I feel like it's coming now. I wanted them to know that's what the best team in the Southland looks like. We saw them right up close for nine innings and, you know what, they look a lot like us. Those guys are really good and they win a lot, but they play the game a lot like us."
Southeastern Louisiana opened up a 1-0 lead in the first as a leadoff walk turned into a run on just one hit. Redshirt sophomore Chris Cooper, in his first career Southland Conference start, issued the free pass before Jameson Fisher doubled to put runners at second and third. The Lions took the lead on a sacrifice fly from Daniel Midyett, but would be limited to just the one run as Deaver and Casey Thomas combined to gun down Fisher at third on the play.
Cooper appeared sharp, but would be forced from the game in the fourth inning with a blister on his throwing hand. The right-hander exited having allowed a single run, scattering two hits while striking out three.
The Islanders had chances down the stretch, bringing the tying run to the plate in each of the last three innings. Yet, the Blue and Green could not find the pivotal hit, whilst the Lions turned a double play, made a diving grab on a line drive and added a pair of nice plays on ground balls.
DEAVER'S BIG DAY
After grounding into a fielder's choice on a sacrifice bunt attempt his first time up, the Islander right fielder had a hit in each of his remaining three trips. Deaver uncorked his first home run as an Islander off of Cedotal in the fifth, tying the game at 1-1. It was just the second home run the Southeastern ace has allowed on the season.
Deaver also added a pair of singles in his remaining two trips, one off of Cedotal and the last in the ninth off of reliever Kade Granier.
"I've been a head coach for nine years and one of the things I've learned is you get these JUCO kids and you think they've got outstanding talent, but you have to remind yourself it takes 10 games to get caught up to the DI speed, 15 games to get comfortable," said Malone. "It's been happening all nine years I've been a head coach and now hopefully, here we go. Deaver is starting to look like a really talented Division I hitter. We need his game to continue to pick up and Joz to pick up behind him and help us be a really good team."
GAME TWO FRIDAY
The Islanders will look to even the series Friday night with first pitch set for 6 p.m. Junior left-hander Chris Falwell will take the ball for the Islanders while Southeastern will counter with right-hander Mac Sceroler. The game will be carried live with a free audio stream on the Islanders Digital Network.
