GEORGETOWN, Texas – In a rainy afternoon game at Rockwall Field, the Pirates emerged victorious to beat Texas Lutheran University 8-1 on Friday.  The Pirates starting pitcher, Matt Stuart, pitched a complete game and allowed only one unearned run on the day.  It was a total team effort, as seven different 'Bucs had hits and six scored runs to support Stuart's stellar performance.

The Pirates got a leadoff triple down the right field line from Charlie Garrett to start up the offense.  Garrett later scored on a Jeff Glasgow single to left field to give the 'Bucs the 1-0 lead after the first inning.

The Bulldogs threatened to score in the top of the third.  They got a leadoff walk from Rodriguez.  Their next batter, Wheaton, reached safely on the fielder's choice, with Rodriguez out on the force at second.  Stuart got some help from his defense as they flashed a little leather and turned the four-six-three double play to end the threat.

The SU offense broke through again in the bottom of the fourth.  Nate Shipp took a pitch in the shoulder to start the rally.  During Lance Gottardy's at bat, Bulldog starting pitcher Orosey, threw a wild pitch that enabled Shipp to advance to second base.  Shipp was driven in a batter later by Ross Meyer with an infield single up the middle.

TLU got on the board and scored their lone run in the top of the sixth inning.  With one out, Stuart walked Carollo.  Their next hitter, Von Wendel, hit a ball down the right field line that looked like trouble until Ross Meyer hustled to make the catch and record the second out.  Govea then singled and moved Carollo to second.  Kanas reached on an error to load the bases for the Bulldogs.  Stuart ended up walking in a run after two very close pitches just off the outside of the plate.  He was then able to get Peterson to ground out to second base to end the inning.

The 'Bucs added an insurance run in the seventh inning on a single by Charlie Garrett which allowed Ross Meyer to score from second base. 

In the eighth inning, the Pirates offense exploded for five more runs.  The burst began after Nate Shipp took another pitch in the shoulder and advanced to second after a missed pick-off throw to first.  The following batter, Lance Gottardy, ripped a double down the right field line scoring Shipp.  Ryan Doane came into pinch run for Gottardy on second.  Then Ross Meyer drew a walk, giving the Pirates' runners on first and second.  Colby Dutton was able to score Doane and advance Meyer over to second with his single up the middle of the field.  Next, Cruz Luna drew a walk to load the bases.  Heath Spencer was hit by a pitch and brought home Meyer from third.  Two more runs scored on a Cray Betts single up the middle to give the Pirates the 8-1 lead before the Bulldogs could get out of the jam.

The Pirates were led by starting Pitcher Matt Stuart who scattered five hits, allowed one run (unearned), and struck out five batters in his nine-inning complete game.  Southwestern advances to 3-7 on the year as TLU falls to 2-2 after Friday's game.

The Pirates conclude the series versus TLU with a doubleheader beginning at 1pm on Sunday, February 19, at Rockwall Field on the Southwestern campus in Georgetown, Texas.