CANYON, Texas – The #10 Buffaloes of West Texas A&M scored five runs over the final four innings on Sunday afternoon to pick up a big South Central Regional series win over the Regis Rangers in front of almost 250 fans at Wilder Park in Canyon, Texas.
 
The Buffs hit the road next weekend for a South Central Regional series in San Antonio, Texas as they take on the St. Mary's Rattlers starting on Friday at 4 p.m. at Dickson Stadium.
 
THE BASICS:
- Score: #10 West Texas A&M 9, Regis 5
- Records: WT (11-1) / RU (2-4)
- Location: Canyon, Texas
- Venue: Wilder Park
- Series (Streak): WT Leads 4-3 (W2)
 
HOW IT HAPPENENED:
Regis got on the board early as they took advantage of a WT errant throw with RBI from Connor Rochon and Coby Zimmerman for the 2-0 lead, the Buffs loaded the bases in the home half of the second as Keone Givens singled up the middle to drive in Tag Baxter and cut the lead to 2-1.
 
The Buffs took the lead in the home half of the third inning as Justin Martinez crushed a three-run bomb to left center with two outs for the 4-2 lead, Tanner Schuetz doubled down the left field line on the next pitch to force a move to the Regis bullpen before Jordon Wyke entered and forced a grounder to short to end the inning.
 
The Rangers cut into the lead in the top of the fifth as Rochon singled up the middle with two outs as Marcus Salvato scored from second base to make it 4-3. Zach Dixon gave way to Chander Dean to start the sixth as Regis looked to do more damage, Logan Heflebower doubled down the left field line to start the frame followed by a fly ball to right to move the runner up 90 feet before Kennedy Phillips doubled to right center to tie the game. 
 
Martinez singled to right to leadoff the home half of the sixth followed by Schuetz getting plunked by a pitch to put Buffs at first and second with no outs, Wyke picked up a big strikeout for the first out before giving way to Matt Heibuilt. Givens singled to center to score Martinez followed by a wild pitch that scored Schuetz, WT added another on a Regis throwing error to make it 7-4.
 
The Rangers put a pair of runners on with one out in the top of the eighth as the Buffs called on Dominic Yearego from the pen, the senior registered a strikeout before Salvato singled to left center to drive in a run before a grounder to Schuetz at second ended the inning with WT leading 7-5. The Buffs added insurance runs in the home half with a Justice Nakagawa solo bomb to left center with one out followed by a Givens triple and a Loya RBI groundout to make it 9-5.
 
That's all that Yearego would need as the senior forced a popup in foul territory to Darius Carter followed by a pair of strikeouts for his fourth save of the season. Dean registered the win (2-0) on the mound, allowing two runs on five hits with no walks and a strikeout in his two frames of relief.