#10/#8 Jags ride long ball to sweep of A&M-Texarkana

As the UHV baseball team continues to chase history this season, many firsts will happen for the program.

That was the case on Saturday as the No. 10-ranked Jaguars swept a Saturday doubleheader, 12-3 and 11-9, and the three-game Red River Athletic Conference series against Texas A&M-Texarkana at Riverside Stadium.

It was the first time UHV (25-3, 14-1) has won a series against the Eagles (19-9, 8-4).

"It's really about the hard work and effort these guys put in, and the sacrifices they make over and over," said head coach Jonathan Stavinoha. "They're out here every day, putting in the grind to work on whatever they need. Then it's all about competing with your family, with your brothers. When you're on this field, there's one goal in mind and that's to win the baseball game no matter what."

After hitting a go-ahead grand slam on Friday night in front of a record crowd of 2,342 fans, Rafael Gutierrez followed that up with another go-ahead slam in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the series.

That sparked an eight-run inning for the Jaguars with Jean Michael Gonzalez delivering an RBI double before Hal Perez hit a three-run shot to right field to put UHV up 11-4 at the time.

Christian Garcia extended also extended his on-base streak to 28 games with a walk and a couple of hits in Saturday's doubleheader.

"It shows we're ready no matter what inning," Perez said. "It doesn't matter, we're ready. Props to Rafi yesterday and today carrying us. But that's what we preach, JagBall. Just pass the stick. Your turn is going to come and you've just got to do it. You've just got to keep playing baseball."

Gutierrez finished Saturday's doubleheader 4-for-7 with seven RBIs, a home run and a triple.

The Jacksonville, Florida, native went 7-for-12 with 11 RBIs in the three-game series and extended his hitting streak to four games.

"When the bottom of your order is hitting, look out," Stavinoha said. "The top of our lineup and the middle have been on. When the top gets on for the middle, and the middle on for the bottom, it's dangerous what we can do."

Jonathan Jones picked up his sixth win of the season, going six innings and striking out 10 in Game 2. Justin Mireles and Marcos Moreno combined to shut down the seventh inning and preserve the win.

For the second time in as many days, Mason Longoria earned a win in relief. The Victoria native threw two shutout innings behind starter Julian Garcia to improve to 8-1.

"He still gets some starts," Stavinoha said of Longoria. "He's one of best pitchers on our staff. Out of the bullpen, I have 100% confidence giving him the rock. He's going out there and competing, and giving us a chance every time. You talk about the selflessness to move from that full-time Friday night guy to doing whatever we need, it's amazing to see and I commend him for that."

Jacob Baker earned his fourth save of the season after tossing three scoreless innings in Game 3.

The Jaguars are back at home on Tuesday to face St. Thomas (TX) at 6 p.m. at Riverside Stadium.