LAREDO, Texas — Facing a crucial Heartland Conference series to keep pace with the top of the league standings, the Newman baseball team answered the call, finishing up its set against Texas A&M International with a resounding 13-0 run-rule victory Saturday afternoon.
The Jets (26-16, 12-9 Heartland) pushed themselves up to alone in fourth place in the standings with just two conference series to go by pumping out 13 runs on 14 hits, including an eight-spot in the top of the seventh to end things early against the Dustdevils (16-26, 7-14 Heartland).
While the Newman offense was cranking out support, starting pitcher Dylan Porter didn't need nearly as much as he got, going the first six innings allowing only three hits and one hit batter — allowing a runner to get past first base in just one inning — while striking out four to pick up his fourth win of the season.
It took a couple of innings for the Newman bats to find their groove, but they opened up in a big way in the third. Tyler Bugner's RBI groundout with the bases loaded opened the scoring, and Aaron Mack followed with a two-run double and Nick Griffin with run-scoring single to quickly make it 4-0. Three straight singles, from Garett Thomas, Griffin and Brian Canfield, in the fifth bumped that lead up to five runs.
With Porter cruising, it appeared that the momentum got to stay with the Jets on offense, as 11 of the first 12 batters of the seventh inning reached base. With the bases loaded and just one out, walks from Mitchell Beaudreau and Lucas Norton, and singles out of Canfield, Andrew Russell and Jacob Hamerle all scored single runs. Bugner delivered the big blow of the frame, smacking a three-run double to right center to boost the lead to 13-0.
Corey Mondello came into toss a perfect bottom of the seventh and send the Jets home early.
Bugner posted a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, with two doubles and four RBIs. Canfield also chipped in three hits and two RBIs, while Thomas, Griffin and Russell all went 2-for-4.
The Jets head to Northwestern Oklahoma State for a nonconference matchup Tuesday before hosting Rogers State in a Heartland series next weekend.
