GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern gave up five runs in the top of the ninth inning to lose the game 6-4 to Texas Lutheran University.  The 'Bucs were playing great baseball and led the whole game up until the Bulldog rally overtook them.

The Pirates got off to a good start offensively with Heath Spencer hitting a double down the left field line with one out.  Spencer moved over to third on a wild pitch and was driven in by Cray Betts on a single to left field, to give them the early 1-0 lead.

The Bulldogs tried to rally in the top of the fifth, as Ryan Hill hit a bloop single down the right field line.  Gennusa moved Hill to second on a sacrifice bunt.  The following batter, Rodriguez singled to right field.  On the play, Hill tried to score from second base, but was thrown out at the plate by a great throw from Ross Meyer and tagged out at the plate by Lance Gottardy.  SU starter, Chris Weber was able to get out of the inning on a fly out to right field. 

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Zach Lynch hit a first pitch double to left field.  The next batter, Nate Shipp, walked on four straight pitches.  Gottardy blooped a single down the right field line, scoring Lynch and advanced Shipp to second.  The Bulldogs opted to change pitchers and brought in Aleman in relief.  Aleman first faced Cruz Luna and got him to ground out to the second basemen.  The TLU pitcher was able to retire the rest of the side to end the inning without further damage.

The 'Bucs Heath Spencer got on base with a one out walk in the sixth.  Zach Lynch added a run on a RBI double down the left field line with two out to give the Pirates the 3-0 lead.

In the top of the seventh, the Bulldogs got a one out single from DeBlanc.  Hill hit a sharp ground ball to the shortstop, Spencer, who was able to convert the six-four-three double play to end the threat.

TLU's offense broke through in the eighth inning.  Gennusa hit a sharp ground ball up the middle of the field for a leadoff single.  Two consecutive ground outs moved Gennusa over to third base.  Yancelson brought home their first run on a deep drive to right center for a triple to make it a 3-1 game.  The next batter Harvey drew a two out walk.  The Pirates decided to make a change at pitcher and bring in Max Smith in relief.  Smith was able to get Peterson to strike out looking to change the side.

In the top of the ninth, Bohrmann hit a double deep to left field.  The Bulldogs utilized Briscoe as a pinch runner for him.  DeBlanc hit a ball down to third base and reached on a throwing error and was able to move all the way to third.  The error allowed Briscoe to score on the play.  Denman came into pinch run for Hill after he singled to get on base.  The Bulldogs scored another run when Gennusa singled, scored DeBlanc and moved Denman over to second.  Carollo entered the game to pinch hit for Rodriguez and reached base on a fielder's choice, as the catcher tried to get the out at third, but missed on the throw.  The error allowed Denman to score and Carollo and Gennusa advanced to second and third.  Smith struck out Wheaton to record the first out for the Pirates in the inning.  Then Smith intentionally walked Yancelson to load the bases and give the Bucs force out opportunities.  The second out came on a Harvey pop out to the pitcher, Smith.  The next batter Peterson, singled up the middle to bring in two runners before the Pirates got him out on the following play in a fielder's choice.  When it was all said and done, the Bulldogs had taken the 6-3 lead to go into the bottom of the ninth.

Southwestern got a leadoff walk from Lynch.  Shipp and Dutton both flew out to right field on consecutive at bats.    Cruz Luna hit a two out single and both he and Lynch advanced bases on an error by the shortstop.  Meyer came up to the plate and hit an infield single to the shortstop to score Lynch and cut it to a one run game.  Jeff Glasgow entered the game to pinch hit for Tyler Herriage.   During Glasgow's at bat, Bulldog pitcher Kistler balked, moving Luna to third and Meyer to second.  TLU was able to nullify the rally, by getting Glasgow to ground out to the shortstop and end the game at 6-4.

The Pirates were led by Heath Spencer (2-2, 2 runs) and Zachary Lynch (2-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI).  Southwestern moves to 3-8 and TLU advances to 3-2 on the year.

The next action for the Pirates is on Tuesday, Feb 21 at 2:00pm, as they visit Hardin Simmons.