Jags rally to beat Texas A&M-Texarkana in RRAC Opener

It may not have been pretty, but the UHV baseball got the result in wanted on Saturday.

The Jaguars rallied from two separate deficits to beat Texas A&M-Texarkana 9-8 in the opening game of Red River Athletic Conference play at Riverside Stadium and extend the team's winning streak to four games.

UHV (8-1, 1-0) had to rally from a three-run deficit in the first inning, and a two-run deficit in the seventh inning to notch the win on a cold day with 45-degree temperatures and winds of 20-30 mph.

"We could've just cowered down," said head coach Jonathan Stavinoha.

The Jaguars responded to the Eagles' (1-8, 0-1) three-run first inning immediately, plating three runs in the bottom of the first with an RBI single by Raul Lopez, a double steal to score Hayden Leopold and an RBI single by Jose Montanez.

Jean Michael Gonzalez gave UHV a 4-3 lead in the next frame with an RBI single to score Kyle Barosh.

"But we have the ability to come back instantly and pop a three-spot to tie it up then take the lead," Stavinoha continued. "We did some things that kind of weren't our game. We got out of it. We messed up a hit-and-run, got caught stealing, a bunch of things. There's some things we can improve on, but man, the way they battled back was awesome."

Leopold finished the game 2-for-5 with an RBI and a double, the 39^th of his career which ties David Baker and Dylan Blaha for second-most all-time at UHV.

The senior infielder from Columbus, Texas, understood the Jaguars didn't play their best after recording four errors in the bitter weather. But he was happy to see the team rally to open conference play with a win.

"It's a phenomenal feeling," Leopold said. "We came out of the gate struggling a little bit. Then we put some runs on the board to help our pitching. It really feels good."

Jacob Baker improved to 3-0 on the mound after throwing four innings of relief for starter Mason Longoria, who tied his season-high of eight strikeouts. It was the first career relief appearance for the freshman right-hander Baker.

Baker gave up four runs, only two of which were earned, on five hits and a walk. He pitched a perfect ninth inning to seal the win for UHV.

"I went in knowing I had to throw strikes and trust my defense," Baker said. "I've just got to breathe and listen to my teammates when they're talking me up. Up there, it gets really nervy as a freshman."

The Jaguars will look to win and potentially sweep the series on Sunday with a 12 p.m. doubleheader.