Pirates Split Doubleheader; Earn First Win

Pirates Split Doubleheader; Earn First Win

GEORGETOWN, Texas - Although the Southwestern Pirates lost the first game of the doubleheader 5-3 to the Schreiner Mountaineers, the Pirates managed to get their first win of the season in the RJ Thomas era, winning the second game 7-4. 

In game one of the doubleheader, the Mountaineers got off to a 4-1 lead in the top of the 2nd inning after the Pirates committed an error that allowed Cassidy and Ince to score. Valdez later doubled to right field and had 2 RBI's which allowed Trevino and L Garcia to score as well.

Valdez and Whitehead both had doubles and Valdez had 2 RBI's along with Garcia and Pisseri each having one. The Pirates committed too many errors that allowed the Mountaineers up 5-1 after the top 5th inning. The Pirates, however, did start a comeback in the bottom 7th, cutting the lead to 5-3. During that inning, Jay Sterling hit a single and advanced all the way to third base after an error by Schreiner's centerfielder. That allowed Josh Presnall to score with Sterling scoring one pitch later. But the Pirates once again fell short of making a comeback and lost the first game of the doubleheader 5-3. Zachary Lynch had a double, Jay Sterling had 2 RBI's and a sacrifice fly.

Carl Mueller garnered the loss allowing five runs, no earned, on seven hits with seven strikeouts in five innings.

In game two of the doubleheader, the question arose: Can Southwestern avoid a sweep against the Mountaineers? This would be different than the previous two games.

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, the Pirates were up 2-1, after Presnall scored a run, and the team had the lead for the first time this season.

However, the Mountaineers regained the lead 4-2, when the Pirates committed two errors in the top 4th inning, and Jaeger, Ince, and Cassidy scored. In that inning, the Mountaineers had 3 runs, and 4 hits, along with 3 RBI's. 

But the biggest x-factor for the Pirates came in the bottom of the fourth. In that inning alone the Pirates had 5 Runs, 5 Hits, and 5 RBI's. That had the Southwestern Pirates sitting atop with a 7-4 lead. But overall, it was not just the scoring that helped RJ Thomas receive his first win with Southwestern. The Pirates completely shut down the Mountaineers in the last 5 innings, allowing no runs. Not only that, but base running and fielding were also factors in winning the game, as Sterling, Lynch, Burks, and Garrett combined for 4 stolen bases. The team also had 6 double plays.

Will Burks was on fire at the plate, going 4-4 with one RBI and one run. Presnall, Sterling, and Charlie Garrett all posted two hits in the win.

On the mound, Cody Lovas earned the win, allowing four runs, three earned on eight hits with four strike outs in five innings of work. Jason Stading earned his first save of the season.

The Southwestern Pirates, now 1-2 on the year, will be home again on Friday, February 8th, playing against LeTourneau at 6:00PM.