Jags topple LSUA, fall to top-seeded LSUS in RRAC Tournament

STERLINGTON, La. – In a win-or-go-home day for UHV, the Jaguars saw their hopes for a repeat title in the RRAC tournament come to an end. 

Coming through the loser's bracket, the Jaguars snatched a last-ditch win, 9-6, against LSU Alexandria before falling, 6-3, to No. 5-ranked LSU Shreveport.

With the win over the Generals, the Jaguars tied the program record for wins in a single season with 34.

"I'm proud of the boys and the way they competed every single game," said head coach Jonathan Stavinoha. "Coming into the tournament, obviously, we wanted to win the whole thing and get that for-sure automatic bid (to the NAIA tournament). We had a tough game last night against (A&M) Texarkana, so I'm extremely proud of the boys for coming back today."

The Jaguars (34-17) opened the day with a run in the first inning against LSUA as Hayden Leopold came across the plate. A single from Leopold put a runner on followed by a walk put two runners on. Juan Martin singled to allow Leopold enough time to score, but the Generals were undeterred.

They answered the Jaguar runs with two of their own in the bottom of the first as Zach Mengarelli and Cade Labruyere both advanced on a wild pitch, Labruyere coming across the plate. Mengarelli scored the second run of the inning for the Generals. 

The Generals continued to expand their lead as a solo home run from Blaise Foote and a sacrifice bunt scored two more. 

By the top of the sixth inning, the Jaguars found themselves down 6-2, and knew there was work to be done. They tacked on a run in the top of the sixth inning as Julian DeLeon homered and compiled two more in the top of the seventh.

The stage was set in the top of the ninth, the Jaguars down by just one run and holding the Generals scoreless since the fifth. A hit-by-pitch, walk, and error loaded the bases with Jaguars as Levi Whitlock came to the plate. Whitlock used a timely double to score two runners, giving the Jaguars a one-run lead. Juan Perez delivered the final run, however, with a two-run home run to put the Jaguars comfortably ahead. 

Julian Garcia, Drew Bradbury, and Justin Mireles combined on the mound to collect the win and keep the Generals to 11 hits and six runs. Mireles earned his second win of the season, pitching two solid innings of relief in which the Corpus Christi native allowed only four hits. 

Hayden Leopold and Langston White each accounted for two runs with Leopold going 1-for-4 with a walk. Raul Lopez led at the dish going 3-for-5.

Game 2 with the Pilots began as a stalemate between two of the top teams in the nation as each went scoreless through the third. 

The Pilots were the first to score as a controversial call allowed a Pilot runner on base which was later brought home by Vantrel Reed. The Jaguars quickly answered as senior Hayden Leopold sent one out of the park in the top of the fifth inning to level the field once again.

The Pilots used a run-laden bottom of the fifth to put themselves out in front. 

With the bases loaded, a hit-by-pitch scored the first run, and a triple from Reed cleared the bases to lift the Pilots, 5-1, at the time. 

Each team added a run in the seventh inning, but the Pilots still held on to the lead. With hopes high, the Jaguars headed into the ninth inning.

Two singles put runners on before a double steal and overthrow from the Pilot catcher allowed Perez to score. It wasn't enough however, and the Jaguars saw their hopes of repeating as champions dashed as the final out came. 

Juan Perez led for the Jaguars going 2-for-3 at the plate with one run as Hayden Leopold went 1-for-4 with one run and one RBI.

Now, the Jaguars, who tied the single-season program wins record, await their fate with the NAIA selection committee, which will announce the NAIA Baseball Tournament Field on Thursday, May 9.

Stavinoha feels his team, which has a series win over No. 14 Mid-America Christian – which won the Sooner Athletic Conference – and regular season win over No. 5 LSU Shreveport this season, deserves to be in the tournament.

"When you think about the season as a whole, this team is so deserving to be in the NAIA Tournament," Stavinoha said. "Ultimately, it's going to be up to the NAIA and the people who are in charge of deciding who goes and who doesn't with those at-large bids. We've tied the school record for wins and have beaten some really good teams. I think the product we put forth speaks for itself."