Jags eliminated from RRAC Tournament

STERLINGTON, La. – Despite multiple rallies, including a seven-run inning, UHV baseball's run at the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament has come to an end.

The Jaguars lost in walk-off fashion, 10-9, to Louisiana Christian in the first game of the day before falling 8-7 to the University of the Southwest in an elimination game shortly after.

UHV falls to 38-15 on the year following the two losses, which snapped a four-game winning streak.

After falling behind 4-0 in the first inning against the Wildcats, UHV rallied to score seven unanswered runs in the fifth to take a 7-4 advantage thanks to key two-run singles from Hal Perez and Terry Burrel III.

But Louisiana Christian responded the bottom of the fifth with another four-run frame to take an 8-7 lead.

RBIs from Rafael Gutierrez, in the seventh, and Hal Perez, in the eighth, put UHV up 9-8 and the Jaguars were one out from advancing in the winner's bracket before the Wildcats plated two runs in the ninth for the win.

Relief pitcher Andrew Hurrelbrink suffered the loss despite striking out five and letting up just two runs over 3.2 innings.

Perez led the way offensively with three RBIs in Game 1. Cristian Garcia was 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.

The Jaguars had to play from behind in their second meeting with the Mustangs this tournament after falling behind 5-0 in the second inning.

A three-run third and four runs between the fifth and seventh innings tied the game up when Burrel scored on a wild pitch in the seventh before Southwest scored the eventual winning run in the eighth.

Matthew Mejia was on the hook for the loss in Game 2, despite allowing just one run on one hit with a strikeout.

Cristian Garcia once again set the pace offensively, going 3-for-5 vs. Southwest. Rafael Gutierrez and Jose Montanez had two RBIs each.

The Jaguars now wait for the NAIA Baseball Tournament selection show at 6 p.m. Tuesday to see if they receive an at-large bid and where they'll head for the Opening Round.