CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Back-to-back two-runs innings created late separation in game one of the three-game series and unfortunately for the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi baseball team, it was HCU who ended on top in a 6-2 decision Friday night at Chapman Field.
The Islanders (16-22, 4-6 SLC) were the ones with two runs early to hold an advantage through five until HCU (12-20, 5-5 SLC) managed to squeak in the tying runs in the next inning. From there, it was all Huskies as they strung together another two innings of a pair of runs to create that four-run separation at the end.
The teams were evened in hits at six apiece, with junior Garrett Gruell leading the Islanders with the 2-for-4 night, one of which drove in a run. Senior Sebastian Trinidad scored both of A&M-Corpus Christi's runs.
Junior Isaac Webb, who entered the night ranked #9 in the NCAA in hits, tacked on another to his season total to also extend his hitting streak to seven straight games.
Junior Matthew Watson made his usual Friday night start and threw 5.2 innings. He struck out seven batters, adding on to his team-high total of 61 strikeouts. It wasn't until that sixth inning that the Huskies were able to get past Watson for just two runs.
The Islanders struck in the first inning, with Trinidad taking the honor of being the first base runner of the night with the walk. Gruell then singled down the left line which got Trinidad all the way to third. Junior Chance Reisdorph stepped up with the sacrifice bunt and ultimately reached on the fielder's choice as HCU tried the tag at home which Trinidad slid under for the first run of the night.
A&M-Corpus Christi's second and final run wouldn't come until the fifth as Trinidad also got things started again with the walk. Gruell then sent one to nearly the exact same spot but got the friendly deep roll for the double before advancing to third on the throw as the Huskies once again tried to get Trinidad at home, but the senior was safe for the 2-0 lead.
While the Huskies were able to get all six of their runs in the final four innings, the Islanders could only manage two more baserunners before HCU finished the night on top of the late decision.
It's not the first time the Islanders have been faced with the daunting challenge of needing a reverse sweep. They have won both of their conference series against UIW and Northwestern State from games two and three after dropping the first.
Game two is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. while Sunday's hopeful rubber match will get started at 1 p.m.