Despite only traveling 14 players to Victoria, TX on Thursday, the Knights were able to pull out 3 victories in the 4 game series with the Jaguars of Houston-Victoria.
The Knights had numerous guys step up with the absence of the entire starting rotation, entire starting outfield and the starting third baseman.
"It was really fun to watch so many guys step up for the team this weekend. We had pitchers in the outfield and guys in the line-up that normally wouldn't be and they did a tremendous job of staying locked into the present, they got the job done. It was a total team effort, everyone on the bus contributed to the successful weekend," said Knights Head Coach Jeremy Kennedy.
The Knights had several pitchers step up with great outings. Game one saw senior, Sean Ayala, give the Knights 4 innings while giving up 5 runs. Relieving Ayala, senior Garret Randle shut the door with 3 innings of work giving up 1 hit while striking out 4.
In Game 2, the Knights were shut down by Jaguars pitcher, Brock Haymon who gave up 3 hits in 6 innings of work. He took a no-hitter into the 7th before it was broke up by Knights shortstop, JP Cazares. Knights pitcher, Edgar Valle worked through 5 2/3 innings while giving up 5 runs, all unearned due to 5 Knight errors.
Game 3 saw Senior pitcher, Josh Matthews, step up and throw a complete game gem for the victory. Matthews gave up 4 earned runs while striking out 5 in 7 innings of work.
The final game of the weekend saw a freshman pitcher, Jaime Paxton, step up big. Paxton went 6 innings, giving up 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 6 without surrendering a single walk. Paxton's fastball was too much for the Jaguars to handle as he consistently through it right by their hitters for 6 innings. JP Cazares came up big once again, as he knocked in the go ahead run in the 5th inning. Garret Randle came in to shut the door in the 7th as he struck out 2 of the 4 hitters he faced.
The Knights are scheduled to be back in action this weekend as they take on Wayland Baptist University in a Saturday double header starting at 12 noon. Sunday Lubbock Christian comes to town for a single 9 inning game starting at 1pm. These game times have changed due to the resent winter storm that has blasted North Texas.
