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Northwood bites back against UHV

Jaguars fall 17-5 in Game 3 against team they swept Friday

UHV's Zane Williams slides back into second base as Northwood shortstop Humberto Miranda is unable to come up with the ball on a pickoff attempt during Saturday's game at Riverside Stadium. Northwood captured a 17-5 win in the finale of the three-game series.
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  • Mike Forman •
  • Originally published February 1, 2009 at 3:38 p.m., updated February 1, 2009 at 3:38 p.m.

The University of Houston-Victoria baseball team had very little to show for a 29-5 record in last year's inaugural season.

The Jaguars upgraded their schedule this season with the understanding wins would be harder to come by and hoping to learn from their losses.

UHV got its first lesson Saturday at Riverside Stadium in the form of a 17-5 drubbing by Northwood University in a game stopped after eight innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.

"We saw guys over there that we didn't see that type of player last year," UHV coach Terry Puhl said. "We're going to see more of that this year and that's great. When you play a team like that and win two out of three, that's what you're after, and you win series. This is not about going out there and having a lopsided record. It's about who you're playing, and you just can't expect to be sweeping guys who are good teams."

After being swept by the Jaguars (2-1) in Friday's season-opening doubleheaer, Northwood (1-2) played like a team that won the Red River Athletic Conference tournament last season.

The Knights raked four UHV pitchers for 16 hits and hit four home runs, including a pair by R.J. Harris, who went 3-for-4 with five RBI.

UHV starter Casey Newman left the game in the fourth inning after surrendering six runs, five earned, and relievers Rex Garner, Chase Graves and Zane Williams didn't fare much better.

"Casey was struggling and had to come with the fastball," Puhl said. "He's probably going to have to work on a little bit better composure. Of course, I will be patient with Casey because he figures in and that's the way he kind of started last year too and then he clamed down. He knows he needs to be a pitcher out there."

UHV had eight hits and hit three home runs, but they were solo shots by James Green, David Baker and Tony Rothman. The Jaguars struck out 15 times and went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

"When we did hit the ball, we hit the ball hard, but I have to give their pitching a little bit of credit," Puhl said. "The second pitcher they used (Alex Braly) came in and he was throwing a hard slider and he did throw it over the plate and literally that's a pro pitch. So some of our better hitters were striking out so that tells me we just hit some pretty good pitching today."

UHV will have an opportunity to bounce back quickly when they play Southwestern University on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Riverside Stadium.

"This is the type of game you need to put behind you real quick," Puhl said. "That's what I told the players. Sometimes it's better to lose big instead of a 2-1 (loss) that takes a lot out of you. But we don't want too many more of those."

Northwood 17, UHV 5

Josh Matthews, Alex Braly (4), Jeff Sakowski (8) and Matt Redding. Casey Newman, Rex Garner (4), Chase Graves (5), Zane Williams (8) and Tank Peterson. W: Braly (1-0). L: Newman (0-1). Highlights: (N) R.J. Harris 3-for-4, 3-run HR, solo HR, 5 RBI, 3 runs; Chaney Stout 2-for-4, 3-run HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 3 runs; Justin Coats 1-for-3, 2-run HR. (UHV) Tony Rothman 2-for-4, solo HR, 2B; James Green solo HR; David Baker solo HR; Mike Prestera 2-for-4. Records: Northwood 1-2; UHV 2-1.

  • Southwestern at UHV

    When: Today, 2 p.m.

    Where: Riverside Stadium

    University of Houston-Victoria Baseball

    Opening weekend Riverside Stadium

    Friday

    Game 1

    UHV 4, Northwood 2

    Game 2

    UHV 7, Northwood 4

    Saturday

    Game 3

    ...
  • SHOW ALL »

    • Southwestern at UHV

    When: Today, 2 p.m.

    Where: Riverside Stadium

    University of Houston-Victoria Baseball

    Opening weekend Riverside Stadium

    Friday

    Game 1

    UHV 4, Northwood 2

    Game 2

    UHV 7, Northwood 4

    Saturday

    Game 3

    Northwood 17, UHV 5

    Sunday

    2 p.m.

    Southwestern at UHV Riverside Stadium


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