GEORGETOWN, Texas – The Pirates offense was able to overcome seven errors and edge out Trinity 12-11 on Austyn Laird's two run walk-off homer.
Trinity got on the board in the first inning by scoring three runs on three hits and an error. However, the Pirates closed the gap in the bottom of the second. Ethan Luna singled and Robert Wehman followed with a double to left center field. Clayton Sparks singled to right and scored Luna. Wehman then scored on a sacrifice fly by Austyn Laird to cut it to a 3-2 game.
The Tigers added three runs in the fourth inning and another three in the fifth to extend the visitor's lead to 9-2.
The Southwestern offense fired back and exploded for six runs in the bottom of the fifth. Will Cates and Ben Little led off the inning with a pair of singles. Luna later followed with an RBI double down the left field line. Wehman followed suit with a single down the left field line that brought in another two runs. Sparks and Laird each drove in a run a piece with Laird scoring later to close the gap to 9-8.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Chase Allen was hit by a pitch and advanced to second and later to third on a pair of passed balls. Luna drove in Allen with a single to left field to tie the game. The Pirates took the lead on a single to left center by Sparks that scored Luna to make it 10-9.
Trinity tied the game in the seventh and went up a run in the top of the ninth.
This would set the stage for the Pirates offense and their late game heroics. Sparks led off the inning with an infield single as he beat the pitcher to first base in a foot race. Representing the winning run at the plate, Laird blasted a towering shot over the fence in left center field for the walk off two run homer and sealed the win 12-11 for Southwestern.
The Pirates offense was led by Ethan Luna and Clayton Sparks who each went 4-5 with a double and had 2 RBI and 3 RBI respectively. Austyn Laird went 2-4 with 4 RBI that included the game winning walk off two run homer.