HOUSTON – Senior starting pitcher
Joshua Caravalho faced one batter over the minimum in six innings of work and the HCU baseball team won a 12-0 run-rule shortened ballgame over visiting Alcorn State on Friday night at Husky Field.
The Huskies (1-5) got the offense going early in this one with
Rhett Hendricks driving home a pair with a double to deep right field followed by a sacrifice fly off the bat of
Preston Curtis to deep center that gave Hendricks enough time to scamper home from second. With the lead at 3-0,
Levi Castilleja singled with
Anthony Avalos then reaching on a dropped third strike passed ball.
Nico DeFazio then drew a walk to load the bases, setting the table for
Tyree Jackson to lace a double over the center fielder's head and clear the bases, doubling the HCU lead to 6-0 after just one inning.
Jackson was hit by a pitch to lead off the fourth, stealing second and then scoring two batters later on a
Jack Walker single to center with Walker moving up to second on the throw home. A wild pitch allowed Walker to move over to third and for
Katcher Halligan to bring him home with a sacrifice fly to center for a two-run inning and an 8-0 advantage.
In the fifth, with two outs and DeFazio on second, Jackson lifted a towering fly ball to left that Gavin Caston was unable to handle, allowing another run to score and give the Huskies a 9-0 lead. Halligan singled with one out in the sixth and moved up to second on a two-out walk issued to Curtis. Castilleja then lofted a ball to shallow center that fell in no-man's land just over the outstretched glove of the Alcorn State (1-4) shortstop for a double, driving in both Halligan and Curtis. Avalos followed with a single to left to score Castilleja and give HCU its 12-0 lead.
Caravalho picked up his first win of the year, moving to 1-1, with six innings of efficient work that included seven strikeouts with no walks and just a bunt single allowed.
Kameren Hardebeck pitched the final inning for the Huskies, retiring the side in order with a pair of punchouts.
At the plate, Avalos, Castilleja and Halligan all enjoyed two-hit games while Hendricks reached base three times thanks to a pair of walks. Halligan and Hendricks each have three doubles on the season now with Hendricks leading the team with five runs scored while Castilleja and Jackson are tied for the team lead with five RBI.
The Huskies and Braves are set for game two of their series on Saturday, Feb. 21, afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Husky Field. HCU will be presenting the 2025 team with their SLC championship rings after the conclusion of Saturday's game.
