CANYON, Texas – The No. 15 West Texas A&M Buffs handed the No. 10 Javelinas of Texas A&M-Kingsville their first loss of the season on Friday night at Wilder Park in front of 247 fans as Marshall Kasowski went six innings striking out 10 while Nick Canas went two-for-four with two triples. With the win, the Buffs improve to 13-2 while the Javelinas fall to 11-1.

"We got to their starting pitcher early and that set the tone for the rest of the game," said WT head coach Matt Vanderburg. "Our bats were great tonight especially at the top of the order with Jimmy (Cubillos) and Nick (Canas). We have three more to play this weekend and we are looking to build off this momentum. I think Marshall and Justin both did a great job on the mound tonight."

The Buffs took an early 3-0 lead on the Javelinas with four hits and an error in the bottom of the first. Nick Canas got the Buffs going with a stand up triple to right center on the first pitch of the at-bat. Adam Adkins reached first to put runners on first and third with one out after taking a six pitch walk. Canas came around to score on a wild pitch that allowed Adkins to move all the way to third. Adkins came around to score on an error from TAMUK's Levi Zents as Troy LaBrie reached first. Chad Brown and Cole Sanchez both singled down the right side to load the bases. Brodie Bryan picked up his first RBI of the game with a shot to the short stop plating LaBrie.

LaBrie had an impressive top half of the second inning throwing out two Javelina runners in consecutive at-bats ending any threat of them scoring. The Buffs carried that momentum over into the bottom half of the inning as they scored two more runs. Jimmy Cubillos lead off with a double to left center before moving over to third on a pass ball. After Canas got the first out, Adkins singled up the middle extending the lead to 4-0. Adkins proceeded to steal second to get into scoring position with one out. Luis Amaro's single up the middle plated Adkins to bring the Buffs lead to five with one out in the frame.

Kasowski found himself in some trouble in the top of third after loading the bases with two outs including two consecutive walks. The junior then proceeded to strike out Pablo Hernandez on four pitches to end TAMUK's hope of cutting into the Buffs lead.

The Buffs added to their lead in the bottom of the 6^th when Canas came around to score for the second time in the game. The junior leaded the inning off with his second triple of the game before scoring on a wild pitch making it 6-0. WT added two more runs in the bottom of the 8^th when Cubillos led off with a double for the second time in the game. After Canas flied out to left field, Adkins drew a walk to put runners on first and third with one out. Luis Amaro emptied the bases with a single down the right field line all but guaranteeing victory for the Buffs.

Kasowski lowered his team-low ERA to 1.13 after pitching six strong innings allowing four hits, six walks and striking out 10. The Conroe, Texas native has now struck 10 or more batters in his last four starts. Justin McAllister pitched three innings of relief to pick up his second save of the season as he struck out four while allowing one hit.

UP NEXT
The Buffs and Javelinas will play a doubleheader tomorrow, March 11, at Wilder Park in Canyon, Texas. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.