Jags fall late to No. 21 Texas Wesleyan

HOUSTON – A late score was enough to dash UHV's upset bid of No. 21-ranked Texas Wesleyan Monday at Rice University's Reckling Park.

The Jaguars fell 4-3 after a ninth-inning RBI single by Brandon Rincones. UHV (9-6) had the winning run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth in the form of Hal Perez, but Jorge Carvajal won the battle, striking out Perez.

"Texas Wesleyan is a very well-coached baseball team," said head coach Jonathan Stavinoha. "I thought their pitchers did a good job of commanding the zone and made it tough on our hitters.

"We've got some things to work out. We're still coming together as a team a little bit and feeling each other out. We're gonna get over this hump and get right back at it."

The Jaguars fell behind 1-0 in the first inning before junior designated hitter Kaden Fikac hit a three-run home run to right field in the second inning to put UHV up.

It was the second homer of the year for the Victoria native, tying the team lead with Perez and Juan Martin.

"(Kaden) is a threat every time he steps to the plate and he's gonna make pitchers work," Stavinoha said. "He got a good pitch and put a great swing on the ball. No doubt through the wind. That says a lot about him as a baseball player."

Despite the home run, UHV scattered seven hits and stranded 11 batters as Texas Wesleyan (10-6) scored three unanswered runs.

"We had many opportunities other than the three-run home run," Stavinoha said. "We've got to be better at getting rid of those zeros. We need to get some straight and crooked numbers in there, pushing one across instead of not getting one."

Jacob Baker did all he could in his first start since Feb. 3.

The freshman right-hander from Cuero tossed six innings with two runs allowed – one earned.

"Baker came out and did his thing," Stavinoha said. "Whenever he gets on the mound, he's always gonna give you an opportunity to win that baseball game. What he did today was great and another quality start by him."

The Jaguars will return to Riverside Stadium for a four-game series against Dallas Christian College, starting with a 3 p.m. doubleheader on Friday.