(RV)/#11 Jags down Division I Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

Mason Longoria wanted the ball on Wednesday.

The Victoria native was asked by head coach Jonathan Stavinoha if he wanted the ball in Wednesday's clash with NCAA Division I Texas A&M-Corpus Christi despite throwing four innings three days earlier for the Jaguars.

"I said, 'Of course,' and he said, 'Alright, it's yours then," Longoria.

Longoria then proceeded to toss a gritty five innings to help power UHV to a 6-4 win over the Islanders at Riverside Stadium to extend UHV's winning streak to seven games. It's the program's third win over A&M-Corpus Christi and first since 2017 when UHV won 5-3. It's the first win over a Division I program since 2023 when the Jaguars beat Prairie View A&M.

Longoria struck out six while surrendering one run on three hits and two walks to earn his team-leading fifth win of the season. After giving up a solo home run to the leadoff hitter Isaac Webb in the first inning, he sat down the next nine batters in a row.

"He threw three days ago and here he is again, giving us a great, quality start," said head coach Jonathan Stavinoha. "He gave up the lone run and was lights out after that. Can't say enough about how he competed."

Jacob Baker earned his conference-leading third save after throwing 1.1 scoreless innings. He followed Andrew Hurrelbrink and Justin Mireles in relief of Longoria.

Playing from behind for just the fourth time this season, UHV (16-2) rallied to take the lead in the second thanks to an RBI single by Jose Montanez and then a solo home run by Jackson Purcell.

Cristian Garcia tied the single-game hits record, going 5-for-5 at the plate.

But the graduate transfer delivered one of the biggest swings of the game with a solo home run – his third of the season – in the bottom of the eighth inning. The swing put UHV up 6-4 and answered a three-run frame in the top of the inning by the Islanders (3-6) to cut the game to 5-4.

"I knew I couldn't waste an out," said Garcia, who leads the team with a .537 average after his five-hit showing. "I knew I had to be a leadoff guy and get on base and just keep it simple. Luckily, I got a pitch I could hit."

Hal Perez helped extend UHV's lead in the sixth with a two-run double.

He, Garcia, Burrel, Montanez and Purcell each had RBIs for the Jaguars while Garcia and Montanez were the only UHV players to deliver multi-hit performances.

It was a bounce-back of sorts for UHV's offense after battling for a 6-4 win against Texas College on Sunday.

"We came away with three wins (last week), but we talked about having to play against the game," Stavinoha said. "That's what we did today. We had great AB after AB and really made their pitchers work. Can't say enough about Cristian going 5-for-5. He was a spark plug for us."

The Jaguars return to Red River Athletic Conference play Friday and Saturday. Friday is a 6:30 p.m. first pitch and Black History Night. Saturday is a 12 p.m. doubleheader at Riverside Stadium.