Bryan, TX | February 4, 2026 — The Nelson University Lions baseball team showed its grit and poise on Wednesday afternoon, outlasting the University of Houston–Victoria in an 8–7 thriller at Travis Field to keep its early-season momentum rolling.

Nelson jumped on the Jaguars early, striking for two runs in both the first and second innings to seize control. Joshua Pinter set the tone with a big swing, launching a home run and driving in two runs, while Drew Ortiz delivered timely contact that brought home a pair of RBIs of his own. The Lions added to their cushion in the fourth before a tense back-and-forth affair unfolded down the stretch.

UH–Victoria answered throughout the middle innings, chipping away with timely hits including a pair of home runs from Garrett Smith to keep the contest tight. But Nelson refused to blink. In the top of the ninth, the Lions manufactured a decisive three-run rally, highlighted by Tate Thrasher's clutch double that cleared the bases and flipped the momentum for good.

On the mound, Nelson pieced together a steady bullpen effort to weather the storm. Dylan Zajicek earned the win with a key middle-innings appearance, and Hamilton Moye slammed the door in the ninth to secure the save, stranding the tying run and sealing the hard-fought victory.

The win pushes the Lions to a perfect 6-0 start, a testament to their depth and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments.

Next Up
Nelson returns home to Waxahachie for a doubleheader on Friday, February 6 at 11:00 AM, hosting Avila University (Mo.) at the Lions Athletic Complex, as the Lions look to keep their early-season roar rolling.

Nelson University (formerly SA GU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.