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HOUSTON, Texas -- The fourth-ranked Central Missouri Mules were held to just two hits in a 4-1 season-opening loss to Texas A&M-Kingsville on Friday afternoon at Minute Maid Ballpark. The Mules dropped their season-opener for the first time since 2008.

The game was scorless through the first three innings as both pitchers were dealing early. UCM starter Kurtis Schuyler (0-1) was locked in to start striking out seven of the first nine batters of the game.

The Javelinas (1-0) jumped on the Mules in the fourth inning, however, plating three runs on four hits and helped out by a UCM throwing error. Matt Perez provided the big hit for Texas A&M-Kingsville with a bases loaded double that scored two runs.

The Mules (0-1) got on the board in the sixth when Kyle Grieshaber led off with a home run into the Crawford Boxes in left field, but that was all the Mules would muster.

The Javelinas added an insurance run in the top of the ninth on a Dustin Aguilar bunt single to make it 4-1.

Schuyler took the loss for UCM after giving up three runs, two earned, on five hits in four innings. He struck out eight and walked none.

Dallas Ponder (1-0) earned the win for TAMUK allowing one run on two hits in six innings of work. He walked just two and fanned seven UCM hitters.

Jeremy Flores earned his first save of the season as he struck out the side in the ninth inning.

The Mules will look to bounce back tomorrow night when they take on Abilene Christian, a 13-3 winner in game one against Arkansas-Monticello, at 7 p.m. The game can be heard live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and www.warrensburgradio.com with Shawn Jones and Bob Jackson.