Jags receiving votes in latest NAIA Poll heading into Texas College series
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 0 |
|
|
3 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 0 | X | 20 | 15 | 2 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
|
|
3 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 2 | 2 | X | 24 | 18 | 0 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
|
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | X | 10 | 13 | 1 |
The UHV baseball team has been riding a wave of momentum most of the season.
The wave continued to grow as the Jaguars (21-9, 9-6) received votes in the second NAIA Coaches Poll on Wednesday. It's the third time in program history and first since 2011 UHV has at least received votes in the poll.
This comes as the Jaguars prepare to face Texas College (0-18, 0-15) in a three-game Red River Athletic Conference series Friday with a doubleheader at 3 and 5 p.m., and Saturday at 12 p.m. All three games are part of Free Ticket Weekend Presented by Crossroads Bank.
"We're happy to see our work get recognized, but we're not satisfied," said head coach Jonathan Stavinoha. "We want more. We want to put in the work to move up in the rankings, to push for another title and postseason run. This is just one step for us on that journey."
UHV's case to be ranked was helped last Friday with a 5-4 walk-off win in 10 innings over LSU Shreveport, who is now ranked No. 2, in front of a record crowd of 1,400.
The Jaguars also beat Our Lady of the Lake in a non-conference game on the road Tuesday.
UHV has won 12 of its last 15 games, in part, thanks to strong bats.
Across that 15-game span, the Jaguars have hit .326 with 100 RBIs as a team.
Raul Lopez has led the way for UHV, boasting a 16-game hitting streak after a single in Tuesday's win over the Saints. The senior from El Paso is hitting .431 with a .586 slugging percentage to go with 13 RBIs, seven doubles and a triple.
Hayden Leopold had a three-hit day for his 61st career multi-hit game, one off Dylan Blaha's record set in 2013-16. The Columbus native is hitting .404 this season in 30 starts, predominantly at first base. He has hit safely in 14 of the last 15 games for UHV.
"It's been great to see Raul just go off these last 16 games," Stavinoha said. "He's doing what we know he's capable of doing. With that consistency, he can really take off and it's been fun to watch. Same with Leopold. He didn't get a hit in one game (against LSUS), but he came back, got three hits Tuesday with a double. He's been hitting well. He's kind of the leader of the offense. They get past him, then they see Raul and whoever else is in the next spot. It's a tough lineup."
Justin Mireles earned his first win of the season on Tuesday after throwing four scoreless innings at OLLU.
The Jaguars' pitching staff has been strong all season, boasting the sixth-best ERA (3.55) nationally. Jacob Baker (2.14), Brady Parker (2.86) and Mason Longoria (3.04) hold the second-, third- and fifth-best ERAs in the RRAC.
Baker earned his second save of the season on Tuesday after throwing three innings to close out the 9-7 win against OLLU.
"I expect our staff to go out there and do great work," Stavinoha said. "They've been solid all year long and Doug (Heinold) has called great games. He has them in the right position to succeed. Whenever we give them the rock, we expect great things."
After Game 2 on Friday and Game 3 on Saturday, the field will be open for kids 10 and younger to run the bases.