Box Score WICHITA – The Jets put up four runs in the first two innings and Zak Mickens tossed seven innings of one-run ball en route to a 7-1 win to capture a series victory over the Dustdevils of Texas A&M International on Saturday afternoon. Ricky Sanchez went 3-for-4 with an RBI and was one of five Jets with multiple hits on the day as Newman took the rubber game of this Heartland Conference matchup.
 
Texas A&M International drew first blood on the day, with the first three hitters knocking singles through the infield to plate a run and take a 1-0 lead.  Mickens settled down after that, though, and would not allow a run the rest of the game.  After Jordan Ollenberger gunned down a runner trying to steal second, Mickens helped himself out with a 1-6-3 double play to end the threat. 
 
Newman was quick to answer, putting up two runs in the bottom of the first to take a lead they would not relinquish.  After Christian Dye reached on an error and moved up to second on a hit-and-run, Ricky Sanchez laid down a drag bunt and legged it out to put runners at the corners with one man down.  Ruben Marrero promptly smacked a single through the right side that squirted under the right fielder's glove, knocking Dye in and allowing Sanchez to score all the way from first, putting the Jets up 2-1. 
 
The Dustdevils threatened again in the top of the second, with the leadoff batter doubling into the left center gap and moving up to third on a sacrifice to set up a scoring opportunity.  Mickens held strong though, striking out the next two batters to keep TAMIU at bay.  The Jets were back at it in the bottom of the inning, with John Branum getting things rolling by sending the first pitch over the left fielder's head for a stand-up double.  Kyle Johnston connected two pitches later and launched a ball over the right field fence for a home run, and the Jets went up 4-1 after two innings of play.
 
After Mickens worked out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the fourth, the Jets padded their lead in the bottom of the inning to give him some insurance.  Jordan Ollenberger led off the inning with a double into the left center gap, then moved over to third on a groundout.  With the infield drawn in, Christian Dye smacked a single into right field to score Ollenberger and put the Jets up 5-1.  After Dye stole second, Jarrod Flax worked a 3-2 walk to put runners at first and second with one down for Sanchez.  With the runners going, Sanchez bounced a single up the middle to bring Dye home and move Flax to third, giving the Jets a five-run lead with runners at the corners once more.  Flax would then score on an RBI groundout by Ruben Marrero, and the Jets held a commanding 7-1 lead through four innings.
 
That lead was more than enough for Zak Mickens, who scattered nine hits over seven innings and struck out seven in notching his fourth win of the season.  James Hilts worked a scoreless eighth inning and John Branum came on and sent the Dustdevils down 1-2-3 in the ninth to secure the victory for the Jets.
 
With the win, Newman pulls to an even 18-18 on the season (14-15 Heartland).  They will look to get over the .500 mark on Wednesday, when they play host to Southwestern Oklahoma State in the second half of a home-and-home with the Bulldogs.