LONGVIEW, Texas – It was a tale of two different games as a valiant comeback fell short in game two, 19-14, after Southwestern University dropped a pitcher's duel to LeTourneau University, 3-1, in the first game Saturday afternoon.
Southwestern fell to 0-7 on the season in the loss as the Pirates completed a seven game road swing to open the season. The Pirates will home their home slate Tuesday against UT-Dallas in a single game at 6 p.m.
Game one saw solid pitching performances from both teams however it was LeTourneau (3-0) Cody Whitley outdueling Southwestern's Brett Marcom. Marcom and Whitley both went the distance as the Pirates pitcher scattered six hits over six innings allowing three runs as only two were charged.
Whitley shutdown Southwestern allowing only three hits and one run to earn the win. He also finished with six strikeouts in the seven inning contest.
The Yellow Jackets struck first in the second inning with three consecutive hits to lead off the inning loaded the bases. A fielder's choice and an error pushed the first two runners across giving LeTourneau a 2-0 lead.
Southwestern would get their second extra base hit of the game when Charlie St. Clair smashed a two out double down the left field line. St. Clair and Tyler Bludau each finished the day with doubles as the Pirates managed just three hits.
St. Clair would move to third and eventually score on two wild pitches giving the Pirates their only run in the first game.
The final game of the series saw both teams combine for 33 hits; however eight errors plagued the Pirates in a 19-10 loss.
The Yellow Jackets scored in every inning to post 19 runs on 19 hits including two four run innings.
The Pirates attempted to stage a comeback in the final innings facing a 9-0 deficit. Ketchum Marsh pinch hit to lead off the inning and reached on an error followed by a St. Clair walk and a Zach Lynch bunt to load the bases.
Will Burks came on to pinch run for Marsh and scored as Clayton Sparks grounded out to the right side to give Southwestern its first run of the second game. Then one batter later, St. Clair would score on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Laudau.
Southwestern turned up the heat in the eighth inning as the Pirates plated four runs to cut the Yellow Jacket lead to 14-6.
After a St. Clair RBI single, Sparks blasted a two RBI double in the gap to score Lynch and St. Clair. It capped a four run inning that saw the Pirates string together the runs on two hits and two errors.
St. Clair highlighted the day for the Pirates going 4-for-4 in the nightcap with two RBIs and three runs while finishing the day with 5 hits.
Sparks also added three hits and four RBIs to help pace Southwestern offensively.