March 10, 2009
Despite scoring in the top of the first and leading through seven and a half innings, Southwestern University fell to the University of Texas at Tyler on Tuesday in Abilene, 2-1. The Pirates left 11 runners on base for the game and fall to 9-12 on the season. UTT improves to 15-4 for the year.
Southwestern started the game with lead off hitter junior center fielder Todd Boone being hit by a pitch and advancing to third on a single by junior shortstop Matt Clark. Boone was able to score and put the Pirates on the board 1-0 after junior right fielder John Wooten hit into a double play.
The Pirates held the Patriots scoreless through seven, but UTT was able to tie the game in the eighth after a two-out single to center field by Jeremy Harding scored Chris Tucker.
UT Tyler captured the victory with a pair of singles and a Pirate error to load the bases with one out. Tucker hit one deep to center field to drive in the game winning run on the sacrifice fly.
First-year Chris Webber had the start for Southwestern and pitched four solid innings, allowing only one hit and no runs while striking out one and walking none. Senior Eric Ruff received the loss to fall to 0-2 on the season.
Senior second baseman Brent McMullen had a stellar day for the Pirates, going 3-3 from the plate and walking once. Sophomore catcher Nick Ashford also had a strong day hitting, going 2-3 with one walk.
The Pirates return back to conference action with a series at Hendrix College in Conway, AR this weekend. The first game is slated for Saturday at 1:00 pm.