Jags close weekend with sweep No. 14 Central Methodist

Jonathan Jones was ready to embrace the challenge on Sunday morning.

The senior right-handed pitcher was slated to start Game 1 of a doubleheader against No. 14-ranked Central Methodist and knew he'd have to have his best stuff after the Eagles put up 24 runs in their previous two games.

The Manvel native responded by pitching a complete-game shutout, allowing five hits while striking out seven in a 3-0 win. That helped propel the Jaguars to a sweep with a 3-1 win in Game 2 for their third ranked win of the season.

"As somebody who lives for the high-intensity moments, I was begging for it," Jones said. "Nobody wanted the ball at 9:15 in the morning more than me. At the end of the day, I had to do my job and we got a good team win."

Strong pitching was on display from both sides on Sunday with Mason Longoria doing his best to build off Jones' performance in Game 2.

The Victoria native pitched a strong six innings, allowing one run on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts to earn his second win of the season. Justin Mireles followed Longoria's lead with a perfect seventh inning to earn his first save of the season.

"Every single one of our starters are coming out and throwing their best stuff," said head coach Jonathan Stavinoha. "They have the right mentality the whole game and they're going to do everything to put you in the best position to win a baseball game."

But the Jaguars (6-1) had to battle all day against strong pitching performances from the Eagles (2-2).

UHV broke up Foster Seitz's no-hitter bid in the sixth inning with a bunt single by Jean Michael Gonzalez. Three batters later, Rafael Gutierrez opened the scoring with a bases-loaded RBI single. Jose Montanez then delivered the biggest blow with a pinch-hit two-run single to put UHV up 3-0 in Game 1.

The Jaguars had to wait until the fourth inning of Game 2 to record their first hit and it was a big one.

After Hal Perez was hit by a pitch and Brady Thompson, in as a courtesy runner, stole second, Terry Burrel III laced an RBI double to left-center to put UHV up 1-0. Gutierrez then drove in Burrel on an RBI single the very next batter.

Kyle Barosh capped the scoring in the sixth with an RBI single, his first of the year.

Gutierrez finished the doubleheader with a pair of hits and two RBIs.

"I think it's the dedication and preparation we have as a team," Gutierrez said. "We work five days a week. Once it's gametime, it's time to put it all together. We've been doing amazing as a team and I'm proud of our guys. We've got some good momentum going into next week."

The Jaguars head to Fort Worth next week to square off with Midland University (Neb.) and Texas Wesleyan next Saturday and Sunday.