GEORGETOWN, Texas — Southwestern baseball surrendered two three-run innings with all six runs scored with two outs, losing to the University of St. Thomas Celts 10-7 in the first of a three-game series.
St. Thomas entered the game as the most prolific offense in the SCAC so far this season, having scored 125 runs through 12 games. The Celts seemed to capitalize on every mistake and opportunity Southwestern provided.
After starting pitcher, J.J. Slack retired two of the first three batters he faced, an error on a short grounder to third gave the St. Thomas offense new life, giving way to Caleb Edmonds' three-run blast to leftfield for the early lead.
Slack struck out four of the next seven hitters he faced, holding St. Thomas scoreless through the second and third. Things unraveled in the fourth for Slack, who began to struggle with his control. After hitting Edmonds to open the inning, Slack induced a fielder's choice groundout to get him at second. He then struck out the next batter for the second out with one on first. Slack then walked the next three batters, scoring one. Jason Brown followed with a two-RBI single through the right side to give St. Thomas a 6-0 lead before Trey Dees relieved Slack to get out of the inning.
The Pirates cut into the deficit in the seventh inning, going on a rally with two out to score four runs. Maxwell Mims and Preston Witt opened the inning with a single and double to put two runners in scoring position. Ted Lobkowicz followed with a one-out, two-RBI single to leftfield. Daniel Montgomery Jr. hit a double to left-center, advancing Lobkowicz to third. Alexander Cannata walked to load the bases, and Sam Castillo drew another walk to score Lobkowicz. Jake Harris pinch-hit for Hayden Craig, grounding out to the pitcher but scoring Montgomery.
St. Thomas got to Dees in the top of the ninth, opening the inning with back-to-back hits and a walk to load the bases. Parker Edwards followed with a two-RBI double to leftfield. Brooks Raby took the mound for Dees and allowed a run on a wild pitch, then on a groundout to shortstop to put St. Thomas up 10-4.
Southwestern showed its resiliency in the bottom of the ninth, opening the inning with a walk and two singles, scoring on Castillo's single through the left side. Bryce Debbs reached on a throwing error, scoring Cannata. After Lance Kruse went down swinging, Mims hit a sacrifice fly to scored Castillo before St. Thomas closed the game out with a strikeout.
Slack went 3.2 innings for the Pirates and struck out seven with four walks, and three of his six runs surrendered earned in the loss. Lobkowicz led the Pirates offensively with a 2-for-4 performance, scoring once with two RBIs.
St. Thomas improved to 12-1 with the win, dropping Southwestern to 2-9 for the season. Both teams will resume play in a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 1:00 p.m.