With just one week of regular season play remaining, Angelo State and Texas A&M-Kingsville are tied atop the Lone Star Conference baseball standings. ASU and TAMUK, along with Incarnate Word and West Texas A&M have earned a spot in the LSC Championship field with three teams - Tarleton State, Abilene Christian, and Cameron - vying for the remaining two berths.
In league action last week, ASU went 3-1 versus CU, while TAMUK swept Eastern New Mexico. UIW won three of four games against WTAMU and Tarleton State posted a 3-1 mark in its series with Abilene Christian.
This week’s schedule includes midweek non-conference games, followed by a full schedule of conference action. Each LSC series includes a 9-inning game Friday, a 7x7 doubleheader Saturday and 9-inning contest Sunday.
The overall LSC Champion will be the team(s) with the best winning percentage in regular-season conference games, while the winner of the postseason championship will be recognized as LSC Tournament Champion and receive the league’s automatic qualification into the NCAA postseason. The championship will be played May 5-8 in San Angelo, Texas.
LSC baseball teams are 184-152 overall this season. In the NCAA South Central Region, the LSC is currently 39-33 overall including 17-17 combined versus Heartland Conference teams, 20-15 opposed to the Great American Conference and 2-1 against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).
DIAMOND PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
HITTERS
Jason Stone, University of the Incarnate Word, JR, Outfielder, Georgetown, Texas
Stone was a key part of Incarnate Word winning 3-of-4 games from West Texas A&M this weekend, hitting an impressive 9-for-13 (.692) with 4 RBI and scoring 3 runs against the Buffs. Starting all four games at left field for UIW, Stone drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth on Sunday for coach Danny Heep’s 500th career win. All nine of his hits were singles and he also recorded a sacrifice bunt. In addition, he walked once and struck out just one time the entire weekend.
Cameron Dullnig, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, SR, 3B-OF, San Antonio, Texas, Clark HS
Dullnig sparked the Javelinas to a four-game sweep of Eastern New Mexico. He extended his hitting streak to 17 games and he was a terror on the base paths. He was a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen base chances and scored seven times in the series, including the game-winning run in Games 2 and 3. In addition to going 6-for-9 at the plate, he was also hit twice and drew two walks for a .769 on-base percentage. On the mound, he picked up a save in the third game with a scoreless inning of relief to tie the school record with nine saves in a season.
PITCHERS
Jaden Dillon, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, SR, SP, Bridge City, Texas, Bridge City HS
Dillon pitched to two batters over the minimum in a dominant performance over Eastern New Mexico on Friday. He tossed a one-hit shutout without allowing a walk and struck out 11. He improved to 8-0 on the season and his league-leading ERA dropped to 1.39. The 11-0 win was a perfect jump-start to a series sweep of the Greyhounds.
Wade Myatt, Cameron University, SR, Pitcher, Eaton, Colo., Garden City CC
Myatt took the mound in the opening game of CU’s series with No. 18 ASU. Myatt delivered a dominate performance, keeping the Rams off balance at the plate. The Colorado-native recorded six strikeouts in the effort and scattered five hits over nine innings. His control was also on display, as the senior walked only one batter during the game. Myatt’s strong game on the mound allowed the Aggies to seal a 3-1 victory in the opener.