Six-run sixth lifts Javelinas past Hounds

Staff report

KINGSVILLE, Texas — Right fielder Brian Frazier drove in four runs and capped a six-run sixth with a three-run homer to help Texas A&M-Kingsville notch a 10-2 victory over Eastern New Mexico University in Friday’s opener of a three-game Lone Star Conference baseball series.

The win boosted the Javelinas (28-13, 19-8 LSC) into a one-game lead over sixth-ranked West Texas A&M (30-11, 18-9), which lost on Friday night 8-7 at Angelo State. ENMU and Kingsville will complete their series with a noon (MDT) twin bill today.

Right-hander Dallas Ponder (6-1) worked six innings for the win, allowing six hits and both ENMU runs. Three relievers each worked a perfect inning behind him.

The Greyhounds (21-20, 10-17) tied the score in the top of the sixth when Brett Cooper walked and eventually scored on Ponder’s two-out wild pitch, but it didn’t take the Javs long to take control.

Two singles around a sacrifice put runners at the corners with one out before shortstop Derrick Walls beat out an infield hit to drive in the go-ahead run. Miles Holcomb added an RBI single, another run scored on an error and Frazier made it 8-2 with his second homer of the season to left field off ENMU starter Ben Monticello (4-4).

Colton Sims hit a run-scoring single with two out in the first for ENMU, but Kingsville tied it in the bottom half on an RBI single before taking the lead in the second on Holcomb’s one-out, bases-loaded sacrifice fly to right field.

Kingsville finished with 16 hits, with Wallace going 4-for-5, Aguilar 3-for-4 and Frazier 3-for-5.

Sims and shortstop Brett Ackerman each had a pair of hits for the Hounds.