Pirates Drop Doubleheader to Trinity

Pirates Drop Doubleheader to Trinity

GEORGETOWN, Texas – The Southwestern University Pirates dropped a pair of games to the No. 4-ranked Trinity University Tigers in Sunday's doubleheader, losing the home conference three-game series 2-1.

Game 1 – Southwestern 5, Trinity 11

The Tigers pounced on the Pirates early, scoring five runs in the top of the first inning to match Southwestern University's output for the game.

Starting pitcher Benjamin Ludwig struggled with his control, giving up a single and walking four—including two with bases loaded—before giving way to relief pitcher Trey Schwarz with two outs. Schwarz gave up a two-RBI single to MJ Metz and Jack Wisniewski to add three more runs to Ludwig's ledger.

Southwestern started the bottom of the first with back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners to open the inning, but Cole Kelly grounded into a double play that scored leadoff hitter Hayden Craig and Ethan Hallmark went down swinging to kill any momentum.

Both teams went scoreless over the next three innings with Trinity adding to its lead with a three-run fifth inning with a Rafe Chaumette solo home run and Wisniewski two-RBI single.

Southwestern added two runs each in the bottom of the sixth and seventh, starting the sixth with two walks and a RBI-single but once again grounding out into a double play and a pop up to halt any potential rally. Kelly hit a two-RBI single in the seventh.

Trinity's Vonderhaar added a RBI-single in the eighth and the Tigers scored two more in the ninth, finishing with 11 runs on 11 hits and an error.

Game 2 – Southwestern 8, Trinity 10

Trinity got out to another quick start, scoring three runs in the top of the first off starting pitcher Colton Hunter after an error prolonged the inning.

It was a crucial mistake against the nationally-ranked Tigers after Hunter induced two pop ups to retire the first to hitters. Chaumette reached on an error, paving the way for a Meredith single and back-to-back doubles from Dalys Binder and Brannen Caraway, leaving Trinity with a 3-0 lead on unearned runs.

The Pirates tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with Byron Dowdell iI hitting a RBI-single to left center to score Daniel Montgomery Jr., who reached on an error. Kelly followed with a RBI-sacrifice fly to deep center, scoring Kelly, who reached on a single. Dowdell later scored as Hallmark was caught stealing at second.

Jake Martin hit a solo home run to lead off the fifth inning and retake the lead for Trinity but the Pirates responded with two of their own in the bottom of the inning to gain its only lead of the game. Craig hit a RBI-single to left center, scoring Seth Sparks, and Kelly scored Craig on a fielder's choice.

The Tigers tied the game in the top of the sixth on a Metz ground out to second base, scoring John Tucker, who reached on a leadoff walk.

Trinity gained separation in the top of the eighth inning, opening the inning with two walks, a pop out, and single to load the bases. Logan Morrison hit an infield single to shortstop, scoring Caraway. After Martin struck out looking, Chaumette reached on an error, scoring Morrison, Mez, and Wisniewski.

Montgomery brought the Pirates back to within one with a two-out, three-RBI double to right-center, scoring Sparks, Thinger, and Craig.

The Tigers added an insurance run int eh ninth on a Wisniewski RBI-single and all three Pirates went down swinging in the bottom of the ninth to end the game.

With the losses, the Pirates drop to 18-14 on the season and 6-6 in conference play. Southwestern will host Hardin-Simmons on Tuesday, April 16 at 6:00 p.m. before traveling to play Dallas in a three-game conference series next weekend.