Southwestern tops Centenary in series opener, 9-7

Southwestern tops Centenary in series opener, 9-7

GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern pounded out 16 hits and held off a late rally to knock off Centenary, 9-7, in the series opener Friday night at Rockwell Field.

The Pirates (2-6) scored all nine runs in the first five frames. Southwestern plated two in the first, three in the fifth and two more in the third to take a 7-3 lead.

The Pirates then added one more in the fourth to increase their advantage to 8-3.

The Gents (6-2) plated two in the top of the fifth, but Southwestern responded with its final mark in the bottom of the panel.

Centenary added its final two tallies in the sixth, but was unable to get any closer.

The Pirates' bullpen made the early lead stand up.

Collin Buckley came on with one out in the sixth inning with the bases loaded. He allowed a sacrifice fly and induced another fly out to get out of the jam.

Joe McCormack hurled three scoreless stanzas to earn his first save. The left-handed retired all nine batters he faced, including four by strikeouts.

Jacob Kendra (1-1) picked up the win after lasting 5.1 innings. Kendra scattered nine hits and allowed seven runs while striking out four.

Southwestern forced the Gents' starting pitcher, Holden Novak (2-1) from the game in the third inning. Novak was saddled with the loss after giving up seven runs on eight hits in two-plus panels. The right-hander also walked three and struck out two.

Ethan Hallmark led the offensive charge for the Pirates with a 3-for-5 effort that including two doubles and two RBIs. Colten Shea was 3-for-3 with two stolen bases and an RBI, while Will Cates added two hits and swiped three bases.

The non-conference series will conclude with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday.

– SOUTHWESTERN –