Despite another strong outing by Southwestern pitchers, the Pirates lose to the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs in 11 innings.  The Pirates pounded out 8 hits but were plagued with bad luck at the plate as several hard hit balls were unable to find holes. 

Pirate pitchers Chris Webber and Alan Lowry combined for 10 innings, allowing 1 earned run in the first and combining for 7 strike outs. 

With the score 1-0 in favor of Texas Lutheran, the Pirates began to get their offense started in the 5th when sophomore Lance Gottardy walked and was sacrificed to second base by sophomore outfielder Ross Meyer.  Sophomore left fielder drove in Gottardy with a hard hit single to left field, evening the score at 1-1.  After a quick 1-2-3 inning by Webber, the Pirates mounted another threat that started with a single from leadoff man Charlie Garrett.  Nate Shipp's sacrifice bunt moved Garrett to second base with one out.  Garrett would move to third on a wild pitch and would be in prime scoring position for senior first baseman Kyle Belski.  Belski drew a walk giving the Pirates runners at the corners with just one out and sophomore catcher Johnny Gavrel at the plate.  Gavrel hit a rocket ground ball right at the short stop for a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.

Attempting to retake the lead, the Bulldogs mounted a threat in the bottom of the 6th.  After a hit by pitch, stolen base, and a sharp single, the Pirates where faced with runners at the corners and one out.  Chris Webber induced a flyball to right center field.  Centerfielder Cray Betts tracked the ball down on a sprint, turned, and threw out the runner attempting to score to keep the game tied at 1.  The Pirates would take the lead in the 7th after Gottardy singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, and was driven home on Greg Thumm's second hit of the day. 

Texas Lutheran would tie the game in the bottom of the 8th after an errant throw allowed an unearned run to score.  Despite the error, the Pirates would start the 9th inning off with the confidence to take the lead back.  After another Gottardy single, pinch hitter Patrick Keenan was yet another victim of unlucky placement as he hit a well struck 2 hopper for another 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.  In the bottom half of the inning, the Bulldogs would load the bases with one out thanks to three singles.  Once again the Pirate defense came up big.  Greg Thumm spoiled the TLU celebration when, after catching a deep fly ball in left field, he made a perfect throw to nail the runner at home plate and save the game for the time being.  The Pirates were unalbe to mount an attack in the 11th despite a leadoff walk by Shipp.  In the bottom of the 11th, promising first year pitcher Jeff Romine got an easy ground ball with the first batter but walked the second batter.  After getting the bulldog leadoff man to pop up a bunt, the Bulldogs battled out 2 singles to drive in the winning run, 3-2. 

Greg Thumm was the offensive star fro the Pirates with 3 hits and 2 RBI.  Lance Gottardy racked up 2 hits and both runs scored.  Senior Kyle Belski also added to the hit total with his 2 hits and Charlie Garrett added another. 

The Pirates will take to the field again next Tuesday the 15th with a single game against Howard Payne at 3 pm.