No. 20 Centenary completes Sweep on Baseball
IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas baseball team was unable to come back in the conclusion of yesterday's suspended game, as No. 20 Centenary College finished the three-game sweep in an 8-4 decision.
Play in the series finale had been stalled on a 3-2 count to Seth Hanson (Apache Junction, Ariz.) with two on and two away when weather delayed the contest. Hanson ended up getting a walk to start the resumed contest at noon on Sunday. However, a strikeout left the bases loaded and the Gents added to their 5-4 lead with three runs in the eighth to seal the game.
(Game Information)
Team Scores: Centenary (8), Dallas (4)
Team Records: Centenary (11-7, 3-0 SCAC), Dallas (7-12, 0-3 SCAC)
Pitcher Records: W) Godkin (2-0), L) Taylor (0-1), S) Lavergne (4)
Both teams traded a run in the first inning. Stickler again led off for Dallas' first plate appearance with a walk, which gave him an on-base streak of 50 dating back to 2017. The junior stole second and then advanced to third on a single to left by Abalos. Jessup Scott (Lewiston, Idaho) picked up the ribbie on a sacrifice fly out.
Centenary went back ahead by posting two runs in its next turn to hit. A successful suicide squeeze bunt broke the tie, and then a wild pitch added to the lead. However, Jordan Stickler (Grand Rapids, Mich.) prevented any further runs on an outfield assist that nabbed Gage Garber.
Stickler went back to work offensively by using his speed to beat out a bunt single in the third. He stole second, and then went to third as Abalos bunted for a single. Two batters later, Scott again came through on a sacrifice fly out.
Two more runs in the top of the fourth pushed the edge for the guests to 5-2.
Conrad Voss (Corona, Calif.) entered in the fourth after the runs had scored and recorded the next 11 outs to keep the margin there. He pitched in the series opener the day prior. Voss ended up scattering three hits on no runs, no walks, and struck out three in 3.2 innings.
After leaving two in the sixth, the Crusaders plated a run in the seventh as Scott tallied his third RBI of the game with a ground out to second. After Mark Peterson was hit by a pitch, Hanson worked a 3-2 count only to leave the outcome on a cliffhanger due to lightening striking nearby.
With play resumed the next day, Dallas could not find the big hit as it left nine overall.
Centenary stretched the lead with doubles from Preston Ludwick and Tyler Erickson driving in all three runs.
UD was able to get a leadoff runner in each of the last two innings, but double plays aided the Gents, including a hard line out to first by Nathan Patton.
Abalos recorded a 3-for-4 and Stickler followed with a 2-3 with three runs scored (tied season-high in home stand). Paul Scoili (Lubbock, Texas) and Patton also had multi-hit games. Scioli and Hanson recorded doubles for the extra base knocks for the Crusaders.
Zachary Taylor (Humble, Texas) was saddled with the loss. He started the game yesterday and threw two innings, surrendering three runs (1 earned) on four hits.
Centenary's Cole Godkin picked up the win with 3.1 innings of relief. He allowed two runs on four hits to go with a walk and three strikeouts. Cole Lavergne had entered to the drama in the seventh on Saturday, and was able to hold things down for his fourth save of the year. He also fanned three in the last 2.1 innings on Sunday.
The Gents offense slightly edged Dallas 12-11 in hits, but collected half of them as doubles from six individuals. Nicholas Delaneuville totaled three RBI.
UP NEXT
Dallas closes the seven-game home stand with Arlington Baptist College on March 21st at 3 p.m.