#10 Jags rally for first-ever sweep of D1 A&M-Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI – Another late home run came at the perfect time for the UHV baseball team.

Trailing NCAA Division I Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 5-2, in the top of the eighth, Rafael Gutierrez blasted a three-run home run to left field to tie the game and spark a four-run frame which eventually lifted the Jaguars to a 6-5 win and their first-ever season sweep of the Islanders. It was the Jacksonville, Florida, native's third home run of the year, all of which have either given UHV the lead or tie the game.

Jean Michael Gonzalez was later hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the same inning to drive in Brady Thompson, a pinch runner who represented the winning run.

The win snaps a four-game skid for the Jaguars (26-7), who also improved to 3-0 against Division I opponents with the win. It was also UHV's first-ever win at Chapman Field against the Islanders (9-18).

UHV opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-run single by Jose Montanez to plate Gonzalez and Terry Burrel III.

The Islanders battled back, scoring five unanswered runs including a two-run home run by Trey Cruz in the fifth to put the hosts up 5-2.

Gutierrez and freshman outfielder Xavier Ortega combined for half of UHV's eight hits Tuesday night, each racking up two. Ortega's second hit was a two-out single up the middle in the eighth, sparking a rally which ended with Gonzalez's RBI hit-by-pitch.

UHV's bullpen was lights out, tossing four shutout innings in relief of starter Mason Longoria.

Justin Mireles earned his first win of the season in two innings of work, striking out three. Andrew Hurrelbrink struck out a pair in the eighth for a 1-2-3 inning. Then Jacob Baker worked a perfect ninth to earn his fifth save of the season.

The Jaguars return home for a three-game Red River Athletic Conference series against Huston-Tillotson this weekend.