A&M-Corpus Christi's Offense Overpowers UT Arlington in Season Opener

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's baseball team (1-0) caught fire offensively to give the Islanders a dominating victory over UT Arlington (0-1) at Chapman Field Friday night.
 
"It's always great to get the first win because now we feel like we have a chance to get the series tomorrow," said head coach Scott Malone.
 
UT Arlington took an early four lead, scoring each of the runs in the top of the second inning before the Islanders retaliated in the bottom of the inning. Junior Jose Enriquez kicked off the offensive drive with a home run out to right field, bringing in senior Max Puls with the huge play.
 
"You never want to go down by four, but we talked to the new guys and let them know four is nothing as this is an offensive park," remarked Malone about the win.
 
Senior Brendan Ryan stole his first base of the season in the bottom of the third en route to scoring another run for the Islanders. A&M-Corpus Christi later took the lead as junior Josh Caraway doubled with two outs for two runs batted in as Puls and junior Tre Jones crossed home plate.
 
The scoring stampede continued on in the fourth inning as the Mavericks plated one run and the Islanders brought in two. With two outs on the board, Ryan and newcomer Sebastian Trinidad (junior) scored, both as unearned runs to regain the lead.
 
One run was scored in both the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings as Jake Johnson (junior) scored his first run on the Island as Enriquez singled. In the latter inning, Ryan scored to extend the Islanders' lead to 9-5.
 
After closing out the Mavericks for the third consecutive inning, A&M-Corpus Christi continued to strike in the bottom of the seventh with two additional runs. After Puls double to center field, freshman Christian Smith-Johnson entered the game to pinch run and scored on the next play. Caraway scored the last run of the game for either side off of a wild pitch.
 
Seven newcomers saw time on the field, highlighted by three new pitchers on the mound. Juniors Samuel Feltz and Dalton LeBlanc, joined by freshman James Trimble, combined for three innings of action.
 
Zach Garcia, a sophomore, earned the start on the mound followed by junior Colin Purcell. Sophomore Marco Gutierrez finished off the night after the newcomers filled in.
 
The Islanders return to the field at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Chapman Field for the second game of the series.
 
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