No. 10 A&M-Victoria baseball splits DH with LSUA, remains in first place

A&M-Victoria split its Friday baseball doubleheader with LSU Alexandria in Alexandria, Louisiana, earning a dominant 11-3 victory in Game 1 before dropping a close 3-2 decision in the nightcap.

The Jaguars (28-11, 17-4 RRAC) showcased their offensive depth and pitching strength in the opener, then battled through nine innings in Game 2 before coming up just short as both teams continued conference play.

With the split, the Jaguars are tied with LSU Shreveport for first in the Red River Athletic Conference standings with A&M-Victoria holding the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Game 1

A&M-Victoria used a massive fourth inning to blow the game open and secure a convincing win in the opener of the doubleheader.

After the teams traded early runs, the Jaguars seized control in the fourth inning, sending 12 batters to the plate and piling up eight runs. Connor Kaiser delivered the first big swing of the frame with a two-run single, and the inning continued to snowball as LSU Alexandria committed multiple defensive miscues.

Zion Hankins capped the rally with a grand slam to right field, turning the game into a rout and putting A&M-Victoria firmly in control at 9-2. It was the second home run of the season for the El Paso native.

The Jaguars added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings to put the game out of reach. Xavier Ortega blasted his first-career home run in the sixth to put A&M-Victoria up 10-3 before Kaiser delivered an RBI single in the seventh to make it 11-3.

Blane Zeplin was outstanding on the mound, going the distance while allowing just two hits and three runs. He struck out six and limited LSU Alexandria to minimal hard contact throughout the game.

At the plate, A&M-Victoria totaled 14 hits. Kaiser led the way, going 3-for-5 with four RBIs. Hankins drove in four with his grand slam. Antonio Benitez finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Josiah Taylor added three hits and crossed the plate twice.

Game 2

The series finale featured a tightly contested battle that came down to situational execution, with LSU Alexandria holding off a late push by the Jaguars.

A&M-Victoria struck first in the opening inning as Antonio Benitez reached base, stole second and later scored on a caught-stealing attempt to give the Jaguars an early 1-0 lead.

LSU Alexandria answered with single runs in the second, third and fourth innings, using a mix of sacrifice flies and timely singles to build a 3-1 advantage.

The Jaguars cut into the deficit in the fifth inning when Benitez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, driving in Xavier Ortega to make it a one-run game.

A&M-Victoria threatened in several later innings, including loading the bases with two outs in the eighth, but could not deliver the tying hit.

Jacob Baker took the loss despite a strong outing, allowing three runs—two earned—over seven innings while striking out five. Matthew Mejia worked a clean eighth inning in relief.

Offensively, Ty Boozer led the Jaguars with a 3-for-4 performance. Benitez reached base multiple times and drove in a run, while Ortega, Jackson Purcell and Connor Kaiser each recorded hits.

Next up

The Jaguars return home for a three-game series with Texas College next Friday and Saturday with Saturday's single game serving as Senior Day for A&M-Victoria.