GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern lost to Trinity 10-0 in eight innings on Saturday afternoon following a pair of wins yesterday. The Tiger's staff ace Ben Klimesh struck out seven Pirate batters across seven scoreless innings.
In the bottom of the first inning, Heath Spencer hit a one out single to center field for the Pirates. A batter later, Nate Shipp reached on a full count walk. With runners on first and second, Cray Betts was robbed of a certain RBI hit on a diving catch by the first baseman to end the inning.
Hirschberg led off with a single to right field in the top of the second inning for Trinity. Next, Cronk reached after being hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch to put both runners in scoring position. Then Griffith walked to load the bases for the Tigers. Francke drove in a run and reached on a fielder's choice with Griffith out at second base. Woodruff followed with an RBI single up the middle. The Pirates defense was able to turn a double play off the bat of Robusto to end the inning with Trinity up 2-0.
Muscarello beat out an infield single to lead off for the Tigers in the third inning. The Pirates defense got Pappas to hit into the 543 double play for two outs. Then Clements hit a sharp line drive towards third base and Nate Shipp made a diving catch to end the frame.
In the top of the fourth, Hirschberg hit a double off the left field wall. He advanced to third on a single to right field by Cronk. Griffith drove in a run on a fielder's choice and later moved to second on a ground out by Francke. Then Woodruff walked followed by a single to left field by Robusto to load the bases with two outs. Muscarello flew out to center fielder Cray Betts to end the inning at 3-0 in favor of the Tigers.
Pappas reached in the top of the fifth after being hit by a pitch for TU. Max Smith helped himself out by getting Clements to hit into a 143 double play for two outs. Then Hirschberg singled through the left side of the infield. No harm was done as Smith struck out Cronk to end the inning.
The Pirates threatened to score in the fifth. Tyler Herriage singled up the middle with one out. He advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Colby Dutton. Cruz Luna made contanct on a check swing down the first base line and grounded out to end the inning.
Trinity added a run a piece in each of the sixth and seventh innings to push their lead to 5-0.
Southwestern looked like they might start a rally in the bottom of the seventh. Betts led off with a single to right field. Then Lynch reached on a fielder's choice with Betts out at second. Jay Sterling walked on four pitches to give the Pirates runners on first and second base. However, Trinity starter Klimesh was able to work out of the jam by retiring the next two batters.
Woodruff walked to lead off in the top of the eighth. He was caught stealing by Pirates' catcher Dutton. Then Robusto hit a bloop double to right field in front of the diving Herriage. Muscarello reached on an error by the shortstop with Robusto taking third. Pappas was then hit by a pitch to load the bases for Trinity. Clements hit a sacrifice fly to deep left field, drove in a run and advanced Muscarello to third. Then Hirschberg hit a RBI single to right center that pushed the runner over to third base. Cronk followed with a three run homer to clear the bases and give Trinity the 10-0 lead.
The 'Bucs offense would face Bentz in the eighth coming in to relieve the starter Klimesh. Heath Spencer hit a one out single through the right side. He moved over to third on a single to right field by Garrett. Betts loaded the bases with two outs after being hit by a pitch. Bentz ended Southwestern's chances by getting a ground out to finish the game.
Trinity's Pat Hirschberg led all hitters by going 5-5 on the day which included a double, triple, an RBI, and four runs scored. The Pirates were led by Heath Spencer who went 3-4 and amassed half of the hits for the team in the series finale. The 'Bucs defense turned four double plays to try and help their cause.
Following the series, the Pirates are now 10-20 overall and 6-8 in conference while Trinity is 25-6 and 12-2 in conference.
Southwestern remains at Rockwell Field in Georgetown, Texas to face McMurry on April 10th, at 2:00pm.