CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – An error in the top of the sixth spoiled an otherwise solid start from
Devin Skapura as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi dropped the series opener against Northwestern State 6-3 Friday night at Chapman Field.
The Islanders (7-15, 0-4) jumped to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first and extended the advantage to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth. It all changed with two outs in the top of the sixth.
After retiring the first two batters of the inning on just three pitches, Skapura (1-3) allowed back-to-back singles. Matthew Alford drew a walk on a 3-2 count to load the bases as Northwestern State (6-14, 2-2) threatened for the first time.
Skapura then induced a ground ball to second, but the ball bounded away allowing a pair of runs to score. The Demons added another pair with a single to tally four runs, all unearned, in the frame.
Northwestern State went on to add single runs in the seventh and eighth inning to provide a three-run cushion.
Skapura took the tough-luck loss despite a quality start on the mound. The senior went 6 2/3 innings allowing five runs, only one of which was earned, on seven hits. The right-hander struck out five while walking just two.
Nathan Jones (2-3) earned the win for Northwestern State, settling in after allowing two runs in the first to allow just a single unearned marker the rest of the night. Jones went eight innings, limiting the Islanders to six hits before handing the game over to Kyle Swanson.
Swanson pitched a perfect ninth to earn his second save of the season.
IMPACT INNINGS
Bottom 1
>> The Islanders scored a pair to take the early lead as
Dalton Stark opened the scoring with an RBI-single.
Top 6
>> Trailing 3-0, Northwestern State capitalized on the Islanders' only error of the game as the Demons scored four unearned.
>> Kelsey Richard singled home a pair following the error.
THE NUMBERS
>>
Cam Boudreaux was the only Islander with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
>>
Chris Cooper worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
SATURDAY SLATE
The Islanders and Demons return to Chapman Field for game two of the series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
