BELTON, Texas – After building an early the lead the Southwestern University baseball was unable to hold on against No. 21 Mary Hardin-Baylor Tuesday night falling 12-5 in non-conference action at Red Murff Field.
The Pirates took a 2-0 lead with the help of a UMHB miscue and two walks in the top of the first. After the Crusaders took a 4-2 lead with four runs in the bottom of the second, Southwestern showed resilience answering with a run in the third and two more in the fourth inning.
Jake Pawelek singled up the middle to score Zach Lynch who led-off the inning with a single to tie the game at 4-4. Pawelek would eventually score when Ben Little reached as UMHB was able to turn a double play up the middle pushing the Pirate lead to 5-4.
However, the Cru would answer again with another four run inning in the bottom of the sixth and add another three runs in the seventh.
Southwestern got a solid starting effort from Drew Fleischman who earned a no-decision after pitching five innings and allowing just three hits. Fleischman was charged with just two of the four runs as he tallied three strike outs.
The Pirates threatened again in the top of the sixth inning but left the bases loaded. The bullpen for UMHB was able to sit the Pirates down in order the final three frames to hold onto the 12-5 win.
Pawelek finished 1-for-5 with two runs scored and a pair of RBIs as Lynch was the only Pirate to record two hits going 2-for-4.
The loss moves the Pirates record to 5-21 on the season with 14 losses coming to nationally ranked teams for one of the toughest schedules in the nation.
The final stretch is not much easier as the Pirates return home for a three game SCAC series with Texas Lutheran. Friday's opener is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch from Rockwell Field as the teams will battle in a twin bill on Saturday.