HOUSTON — Texas Southern put together multiple big innings and launched four home runs, but an 11‑run third inning by Texas A&M‑Victoria proved too much to overcome as the Tigers fell 20–14 on Tuesday afternoon at MacGregor Park.
Texas A&M‑Victoria broke open what had been a 2–1 game by sending 16 batters to the plate in the third, capitalizing on five hits, three errors and four hit batters to take a commanding 12–2 lead. The Jaguars added four more runs in the fourth and held off several TSU rallies the rest of the way.
Texas Southern answered with a six‑run fourth inning, highlighted by a two‑run homer from Anthony Ruiz and a two‑run single by Zachari Pace. Byron Robinson and Jonathan Trejo also homered for the Tigers, with Trejo's two‑run shot in the sixth helping TSU cut the deficit to 16–12.
Ruiz led the Tigers with four RBI, finishing 2‑for‑4 with two home runs, including a solo shot in the ninth. Trejo scored three times and drove in two, while Christopher Chavez added two hits and two runs. Miguel Morales went 1‑for‑3 with an RBI and reached base three times.
Despite the offensive surge, TSU could not fully erase the early deficit. Texas A&M‑Victoria totaled 15 hits, including a five‑RBI performance from Beck Zimmerman and a three‑hit day from Jackson Purcell. The Jaguars also took advantage of seven walks and four hit batters.
Colin Dennis took the loss for TSU after allowing seven earned runs in 2.2 innings. Kevin Braziel provided the Tigers' longest relief outing, working 4.1 innings with three strikeouts.
TSU continues its homestand later this week, opening a three‑game series against Mississippi Valley State on Friday, March 20.
