The University of the Southwest Baseball team traveled to Victoria, Texas, to resume conference play against the University of Houston-Victoria. The Mustangs were coming off a four-game sweep of New Mexico Highlands the following weekend and were looking to build on their six-game win streak.
 
Game 1
The scoring started early for the Mustangs In the first inning when Hayden Woods singled to score Kevan Diaz. Two batters later, Andru Sanchez brought in Woods with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. An RBI single from Kevin Rase wrapped up the scoring in the first as USW led 3-0.
 
The Jaguars answered back with an RBI single and 2-RBI double in the bottom half to tie the game up at three a piece.
 
USW's offense would respond immediately with a Woods RBI single and VanGronigen 2-RBI double.
 
In the top of the 3rd, the Mustangs would tack on more. A wild pitch would bring in Jose Chavez Jr, and two bases-loaded walks brought in two more for a 9-3 lead. 
 
In the bottom of the 4th, a bases-loaded walk would give the Jaguars a run to cut the lead to five.
 
UHV would bring in one more in the 7th inning, but it would not be enough as USW would take game 1.
 
Sophomore Chisum Rush earned his fifth win of the season, pitching 5.1 innings while allowing four runs and striking out two.
 
Game 2
Another early start for the Mustangs, with Gavin VanGronigen doubling in Kevan Diaz. Steven Martinez would then bring in VanGronigen with an RBI single.
 
The Jags began their half tripling in one, followed by an RBI double off starter Cody Stone. 
 
Stone would throw 4.1 innings while allowing seven runs.
 
The Mustangs took the lead in a big way when Carson Miller blasted a two-run home run in the top of the third.
 
UHV would answer with a two-run homer of their own. They would follow that with a solo shot and another two-run home run to give them a 7-4 lead. A sac fly to would top their scoring for the inning and put them ahead by four. 
 
In the top half of the sixth, Martinez would drive in two to cut the lead in half.
 
Victoria would go on to put up six in the 6th inning, highlighted by a grand slam. UHV would lead 15-6.
 
The Jags would add one more in the 7th inning to complete the mercy rule and win 16-6. 
 
Game 3
In the series-deciding game, UHV would dominate offensively against the Mustangs. The Jags would get things by stringing together a couple of hits off of starter AJ Cordova to bring in three runs. 
 
The Jags did the bulk of their damage in the 2^nd inning, scoring six runs total. Half of their runs would come from a three-run home run which capped off the big inning, but only after UHV extended their lead to 8-0.
 
Victoria would add another eight runs in the 4^th and 5^th innings combined, while USW would score the lone run on an RBI single from Carson Miller as UHV would take the final game of the series. 
 
"I thought our guys did a good job coming out to play on the first day, but we just couldn't close it out," said Head Coach Steve Appel. "I thought our offense put some real good at-bats together, but unfortunately, our arms just couldn't keep them to a limit in the last couple of games. Once we find some consistency on the mound, I think we will be ok moving forward. We just can't afford to give teams that many free passes and behind in the count like we were this weekend." 
 
"We will refocus on some small things this week during our midweek against Wayland Baptist and then get ready for a crucial home series this weekend."
 
USW Baseball will travel to Wayland Baptist for a midweek matchup before returning to conference play. Continue to follow USW Athletics and USW Baseball on all social media for scores and updates throughout the season.