Crusaders Dramatic 9th falls Short in Sunday's High-Scoring Game
ALPINE, Texas – It was a high-scoring game from the outset on Sunday afternoon, with both teams plating a combined 17 runs through the first three innings. The University of Dallas baseball team threatened late with the bases loaded in the ninth, but a groundout double play ended the game with Sul Ross State University prevailing 14-12.
The Crusaders dropped their third game in a row to start the season and were swept in the series opener. After combining for 13 hits over 16 innings yesterday, they boasted 17 base knocks and put together a trio of innings with three runs or more scored. Unfortunately, the Lobos were able to generate runs in the first five innings.
Sul Ross State combined for 34 runs, as the team improved to 3-0.
(Game Information)
Team Scores: Dallas (12), Sul Ross State (14)
Team Records: Dallas (0-3), Sul Ross State (3-0)
Pitcher Records: W) Ramsey (1-0), L) Gamez (0-1), S) Marquez (1)
Dallas scored first in all three games this series, taking an early 1-0 advantage in its first turn to bat. However, the Lobos answered immediately with a huge five-run frame in the home half of the first.
Nathan Patton (McKinney, Texas) knotted the game at five with a bases-clearing triple to right center, as the Crusaders showed their offense was ready to keep up throughout the afternoon.
It would be necessary as three more runs in the bottom of the 2nd helped Sul Ross State recapture the lead. Dallas struck back again with a trio of its own in the top of the third. This time it was Zachary Taylor (Humble, Texas) smacking the big hit with the bases loaded down the left field line to bring everyone home that frame.
The Lobos scratched a run home in the third and then pushed out to their largest margin 13-8 through four innings. Each side traded a run in the fifth, and then the first scoreless inning for both teams occurred in the sixth.
Three runs in the seventh helped UD claw back to a two-run deficit. Patton singled to left for fifth RBI in the game, which was a career-high. Jessup Scott (Lewiston, Idaho) followed with a pinch hit single to make it 14-11 as Josh Abalos (Lewisville, Texas) crossed the plate. A double play happened next, but with no outs it allowed Patton to score to narrow the gap for the visitors.
Dallas pitching was able to keep SRSU off the board the final three innings to setup for the dramatic ending in the ninth. Scott started the inning by taking a walk. Peterson singled to right center to put runners on the corners. A sacrifice bunt by Joseph Vondrachek (North Paul, Minn.) placed the tying run in scoring position with one out. A hit by pitch loaded the bases, but Sul Ross State's Aaron Marquez locked down the save with a groundball to short that set up the twin killing.
Patton went 3-for-4 at the plate with five runs driven in. He helped form a quartet of UD players that scored twice, as he joined Jordan Stickler (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Abalos, and Taylor. Taylor, who posted his first career multiple hit game, and Abalos also notched three-hit performances. Stickler and Peterson registered the other multi-hit games at the plate, with Stickler racing for the other extra base hit a double.
Stickler now has reached base safely in 34 straight games dating back to the 2017 season. Patton and Luke Boylson (Fairview, Texas) each were hit by a pitch twice. Abalos got drilled once as well to help UD reach base five times that way.
Tyler Montemayor (Boerne, Texas) and Jamie Wallace (Crockett, Texas) combined for two innings apiece the rest of the way. Wallace faced one above the minimum as he allowed a hit, but fanned a team-high three.
The Lobos were led by the middle of the order with Guillermo Loera and Jonathon Bigley posting 3-for-5 games apiece. Bigley had a double and was part of a trio of hitters with a pair of RBI. Monty Maley, who garnered the other double, and Jacob Pool were the others that drove in two. Loera scored three runs to go with his lone ribbie.
Coleman Ramsey pitched the longest of SRSU's seven arms, by throwing 3.2 innings. He allowed a run and struck out four.
The Crusaders only tallied 17 hits or more in just one game last season, which was 23 during their 17-10 victory at Dallas Christian College (April 4th).
SOCIAL MEDIA
Final | #UDCrusaders Baseball drops Sunday's game at Sul Ross State. Patton and Taylor with big hits early to keep score tight. | @UDallasBaseball #GoUD #UDBASE #d3b pic.twitter.com/NZbWvZdhEK
— UDallas Athletics (@UDallasSports) February 4, 2018
UP NEXT
Dallas plays its lone home series this month with Mississippi University for Women on February 9th-11th. The four-game set begins with a single contest on Friday at 3 p.m.