SHERMAN, Texas – The Pirates combined a solid pitching effort with timely hitting to take an 11-6 win over Austin College in the series opener Friday night at Baker Field.

Southwestern (8-22, 5-8) kept its postseason hopes alive with its second straight win and fourth win in six games. The Pirates and Austin (4-22, 2-11) return to action Saturday for a twin bill scheduled to start at 1 p.m.

Will Cates helped the Pirates build a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a double to center field scoring Will Burks. Cates finished the night 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a home run as Southwestern finished with its second most hits (13) of the season.

Colten Shea had led-off the game with a double of his own and scored two batters later when Zach Lynch grounded out to the right side. Shea led the Pirates offensively with three hits as he also scored two runs.

After Cates homer in the sixth inning, the Pirates had their big inning in the seventh adding four runs on four hits that was also aided by two Austin errors.

Lynch singled home Chase Allen for the first run before Shea scored again on error that allowed Burks to reach safely. A wild pitch from the 'Roos saw Lynch cross the plate with Jake Pawelek at the plate before he ground out to short, but earned the RBI scoring Burks from third.

Jeremy Rice was solid out of the bullpen as he earned the win going five strong innings and scattered just three hits. Rice came in for Joseph Koch who went three innings and was solid before a single and a bases clearing double added four runs in the ninth for the 'Roos.

Colten Seeton entered in the ninth with no outs and got a double play and a strike out to close out the win.