Jags rally to take series opener from Jarvis Christian
HAWKINS – One big swing changed everything for the UHV baseball team in its series opener with Jarvis Christian on Friday.
Juan Perez cleared the bases with a three-run double in the top of the sixth inning to give the Jaguars a lead they wouldn't relinquish in a 6-4 Red River Athletic Conference win over the Bulldogs at Bulldog Field.
It was the lone hit for the Jaguars (28-11, 15-7) nine-hole hitter, but extended the Waller native's hitting streak to four games.
Carson McKenna, who came on in the sixth after UHV took the lead, pitched four scoreless innings to earn his second save of the season. The senior lefty from Splendora allowed just one hit and three walks while striking out five over his four frames of work.
He took over for starter Mason Longoria who earned his seventh win of the season after five innings of work in which he struck out three to move his season total to 80.
The Jaguars opened the scoring in the second inning with a two-run home run by Kaden Fikac, his seventh of the year.
Richard Gill Jr. added an insurance run in the ninth with an RBI to cap the scoring for UHV.
Jean Michael Gonzalez joined Fikac as the only Jaguars to put up multi-hit performances on Friday.
Raul Lopez has now hit in five consecutive games after his first inning double against the Bulldogs.
With the win, the Jaguars matched their win total from last year.
UHV and Jarvis will conclude the series tomorrow with a 12 p.m. doubleheader.