CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M showed reliance following game one loss as they claimed a Lone Star Conference doubleheader split with the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas on Friday at Wilder Park in Canyon, Texas.
 
The Buffs and Javelinas return to the diamond on Saturday afternoon with a single nine-inning game starting at 1:00 p.m. in Canyon.
 
GAME ONE
The Javelinas got on the board in the top of the first inning with a Nick Reyes two-run double down the left field line with one out followed by a Vincent Sanchez RBI single thru the right side and an Elijia West two-run homerun to left center for the 5-0 lead.
 
WT responded in the bottom of the first inning as Kyle Micklus scored from third on an RBI groundout by Kory Schmidt to make it 5-1. TAMUK extended their lead in the top of the second with two outs as Estan Hewitt singled to right field followed by a Sanchez base hit for the 7-1 lead.
 
The Buffs cut into the lead in the home half of the second on a Rodric Black singled thru the right side with two outs to score Josh Zapata to make it 7-2. TAMUK added to their lead in the top of the seventh on a West RBI groundout to third followed by a Joshua Endo three-run homerun to left for the 11-2 lead.
 
WT would cut into the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning as Dylan Fesperman doubled off the left field wall with the bases loaded and two outs to drive in a pair 
 
Max Lankford claimed the loss (4-4) for the Buffs, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts in his 5.0 innings of work.
 
GAME TWO
Kingsville struck first in the nightcap as they plated three runs in the top of the second, Jeremy Cavazos singled home a run followed by an Endo two-run double down the left field line for the 3-0 lead.
 
The Buffs got on the board in the home half of the third on a Kyle Micklus RBI single to right that scored Elijah Batista, Ryan Camacho doubled down the right field line to plate his brother Jovan followed by a Kory Schmidt three-run blast over the scoreboard for the 5-3 lead.
 
WT added to their lead in the third as Josh Zapata started off the frame with a double then scored from third on a balk for the 6-3 lead. TAMUK wouldn't go down without a fight as a pair of RBI groundouts cut the lead to 6-5 before a strikeout gave the Buffs a 6-5 victory.
 
Tai Phetluangsy was dominant for WT as the Amarillo product allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in his 6.0 innings. Davis Luikart picked up his first save in Maroon & White, allowing two earned runs on one hit in the final frame.