HBU Drops Opener to TAMU-CC. Brandon Bena goes 3-for-5 with 2B, RBI

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – HBU had four players record multiple hits, but Texas A&M-Corpus Christi countered with seven, as the Islander claimed the Southland Conference series opener, 13-6, Friday night at Chapman Field.

HBU Senior right fielder Brandon Bena went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI, and a run for the Huskies (9-26, 6-15 SLC). Freshman shortstop Sebastian Trinidad went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI and junior second baseman Jake Miller was 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run. Sophomore first baseman Brennen Bales went 2-for-4 and scored twice and senior Trent Franson walked twice and scored both times.

Senior right-hander Jacob Coats (2-6) took the loss for HBU, allowing eight runs, seven earned, on nine hits with six strikeouts and two walks in four innings.

Mike Williams was 3-for-6 with a double, an RBI, and a run, while Luke Marbach was 2-for-4 with a triple, three RBIs, and scored a run for the Islanders (14-22, 10-10). Itchy Burts was 2-for-5 with a double, two RBIs, and two runs, and Josh Caraway was 2-for-4 with a home run and scored twice. Scott Hastings and Cole Fluta each went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and scored three times, with Hastings doubling twice and Fluta once. Brendan Ryan also had a pair of hits, with an RBI and a run.

Jaime Ramirez (5-2) claimed the win in relief for TAMU-CC, allowing two runs on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks in 5.1 innings.

The series continues with a doubleheader at noon on Saturday, followed by a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.

Team Statistics

PITCHING: W: Ramirez, Jaime (5-2); L: Coats, Jacob (2-5)

Houston Baptist

BATTING: 2B: Bena, Brandon 1; Trinidad, Sebastian 1; RBI: Miller, Jake 2; Bena, Brandon 1; Trinidad, Sebastian 1
BASERUNNING:: RUNS: Miller, Jake 1; Bales, Brennen 2; Bena, Brandon 1; Franson, Trent 2; SB: Miller, Jake 1; Trinidad, Sebastian 1; Franson, Trent 2; HBP: Bales, Brennen 1; Trinidad, Sebastian 1

A&M-Corpus Christi

BATTING:: 2B: Burts, Itchy 1; Williams, Mike 1; Hastings, Scott 2; Fluta, Cole 1; 3B: Marbach, Luke 1; HR: Caraway, Josh 1; RBI: Marbach, Luke 3; Burts, Itchy 2; Williams, Mike 1; Caraway, Josh 1; Ryan, Brendan 1; Hastings, Scott 2; Fluta, Cole 2; SH: Rivera, Steven 1; SF: Burts, Itchy 1
BASERUNNING:: RUNS: Marbach, Luke 1; Burts, Itchy 2; Williams, Mike 1; Caraway, Josh 2; Ryan, Brendan 1; Hastings, Scott 3; Fluta, Cole 3; SB: Williams, Mike 1; HBP: Marbach, Luke 1; Hastings, Scott 1; Fluta, Cole 1