GEORGETOWN, Texas — The Southwestern University Pirates baseball team got big performances from a pair of seniors, and reliable work from relief pitcher Cole Johnson, to steady the ship and defeat Texas Lutheran University 11-8 for the Pirates' first win of the season.
After 10-run ruling the Pirates in the first game of the doubleheader, Texas Lutheran appeared on track for another big game. The Bulldogs capitalized on two Southwestern errors in the top of the first, scoring four runs out of the gate off two hits and two walks.
The Pirates showed resiliency, answering immediately with three runs of their own in the bottom of the innings. Seniors Hayden Craig and Daniel Montgomery Jr. bookended the Southwestern hits for the inning, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Craig hit a leadoff single through the left side, stole second base, and advance to third on Lance Kruse's fly out to centerfield to get into scoring position. Maxwell Mims followed with an RBI infield single to put the Pirates on the board.
Preston Witt followed with a single to left. Two wild pitches scored Mims and advanced Witt to second, where he scored on an RBI-single by Montgomery.
Southwestern took the lead in the bottom of the second, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Kruse to left field, and Mims RBI hit to the shortstop for the 5-4 lead.
The Pirates opened the bottom of the fourth with back-to-back singles from Ryan Baranowski and Trent Raschke. Craig then perfectly executed a sacrifice bunt, moving both into scoring position. Kruse grounded out to second, scoring Baranowski.
Texas Lutheran closed the gap with a run in the fifth. Southwestern committed an error to allow the Bulldogs' first runner, followed by a single and a hit batter. After a strikeout, Texas Lutheran scored on a walk with bases loaded, bringing Johnson to the mound for Southwestern.
Johnson was a steady force for the Pirates, surrendering two earned runs out of three scored on him off four hits with six walks while striking out five. Texas Lutheran did all of its damage off Johnson in the seventh, taking advantage of back-to-back walks and Johnson's throwing error after an infield single to score an unearned run. The Bulldogs scored two more runs in the inning off an RBI-single and sacrifice fly.
The Pirates backed Johnson with plenty of run support, scoring three runs in the fifth with RBI-doubles from Ted Lobkowicz and Raschke, and an RBI-single from Montgomery.
After the Bulldogs cut the lead to one once more in the top of the seventh, Southwestern capitalized on Texas Lutheran mistakes, scoring on an error and a balk for the 11-8 lead. Johnson only allowed two baserunners over the next eight hitters faced, picking up the win.
Montgomery broke out with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, recording two RBIs and two runs scored. Craig hit 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot, scoring both times he reached. Raschke also provided three hits, adding an RBI and run scored.
Southwestern will hit the road next week, playing at the University of Texas at Dallas on Tuesday and a three-game weekend road series against McMurry on Friday and Saturday.