Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Isles strong in Game 1, stifled in Game 2

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Thursday, March 9, 2000

Isles strong in Game 1, stifled in Game 2
Incarnate Word salvages split with A&M-CC
By Javier Becerra

Caller-Times

George Gongora/Caller-Times

Islanders first baseman Rick Hernandez (left) picks off Incarnate Word baserunner Jaime Trevino during Game 1 Wednesday.

The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi baseball team got off to a good start Wednesday afternoon.
   But as the sun slowly made its descent below the horizon, the Islanders' day only got worse.
   A&M-Corpus Christi (9-9) opened the day with a 9-1 win over the University of the Incarnate Word (7-14) in the first game of a doubleheader at Cabaniss Field. In a complete role reversal, the Crusaders answered with a 15-6 romp as Marcus Galaviz stifled A&M-Corpus Christi at the plate, holding the Islanders scoreless until sixth inning.
   "We looked like Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde out there," said Islanders head coach Hector Salinas. "I think the pitching had a lot to do with it. We went out there in the first game and (starter) Jeremy Fuller did a number on them. But then they did a number on us with Galaviz."
   A&M-Corpus Christi first baseman Rick Hernandez agreed.
   "If the pitcher goes out there and does his job and we make the plays, you can cruise through just like we did in the first game. But if your defense isn't making the plays, all you're doing is waiting to get off the field. I think that caused us to come out flat in the second game."
   Incarnate Word took a 1-0 lead after the first inning of the opening game, which the Islanders quickly erased. A&M-Corpus Christi scored three runs in the bottom half of the inning, highlighted by a two-run double by Brandon Trevino. Designated hitter Jerry Nelson followed with another double, which scored Trevino.
   A&M-Corpus Christi scored twice more in the second and put the game away with a four-run third inning.
   Fuller scattered six hits, struck out six and walked two for his third win. The Crusaders' only run was unearned.
   Salinas said he was pleased with the Islanders' overall performance.
   "We came out and swung the bat like we're capable of," Salinas said. "When you put the three together, hitting, pitching and fielding, you're hard to beat. But all those things have to come together."
   That wasn't the case in the second game.
   Incarnate Word rocked A&M-Corpus Christi starter Jeff Parker for four runs in the first inning. The Crusaders continued their offensive onslaught in the second, ripping Parker for five hits and four runs.
   Parker was pulled with no outs after facing five batters in the second, but the Islanders' pitching woes continued.
   Reliever Danny Contreras held Incarnate Word to one run in the third and held the Crusaders scoreless in the fourth, but wound up allowing six hits and two earned runs before Tommy Conine came in to close the game in the sixth.
   GAME 1
   At Cabaniss Field
   Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 9, University of the Incarnate Word 1
   UIW, 100, 000, 0-1, 6, 0
   A&M-CC, 324, 000, x-9, 8, 1
   Steve Robinson, Jake Raley (2), Trent Greebon (4) and Daniel Potter. Jeremy Fuller and Ryan Clyde. W - Fuller (3-1). L - Robinson (2-3). Records - UIW 6-14; A&M-CC 9-8. HR - A&M-CC, Rick Hernandez (2).
   Highlights - UIW, Mike Rodriguez 1-3, R, Billy Dennis 1-3, 2B, RBI, Jaime Trevino 2-2; A&M-CC, Michael Chavez 2-3, 2B, 3R, Josh Wilson 2-3, 2B, R, 2RBI, Hernandez 1-3, R, 3RBI, Brandon Trevino 1-3, 2RBI, Jerry Nelson 1-2, 2B, R, RBI.
   GAME 2
   At Cabaniss Field
   University of the Incarnate Word 15, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 6
   UIW, 441, 013, 2-15, 17, 1
   A&M-CC, 000, 002, 4-6, 7, 5
   Marcus Galaviz and Daniel Potter. Jeff Parker, Danny Contreras (2), Tommy Conine (6) and Adam Sadler, Richard Garcia (7). W - Galaviz (2-4). L - Parker (0-1). Records - UIW 7-14; A&M-CC 9-9. HR - UIW, Potter (1), Jaime Trevino (5); A&M-CC, Rick Hernandez (3).
   Highlights - UIW, Mike Rodriguez 4-5, 2 2B, 4R, RBI, Potter 2-6, HR, 3R, 2RBI, Billy Dennis 4-6, 2R, 3RBI, 2SB, Trevino 3-4, HR, 2R, 4RBI; A&M-CC, Josh Wilson 2-4, 2B, R, RBI, Ryan Clyde 2-4, 2R, Hernandez 1-1, HR, 2R, 3RBI, Brandon Trevino 1-4, RBI.



Staff writer Javier Becerra can be reached at 886-3734 or by e-mail at becerraj@caller.com

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