Crusaders Walk-off in Game 2; Split with Hardin-Simmons on Tuesday
IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Hardin-Simmons University at home on Tuesday. After dropping game one, 10-6, the Crusaders rallied in game two with a run in the sixth and seventh to force extra innings. After being down 4-3 in the ninth, the Crusaders evened the score again on a walk and then Michael Anderson (Denver, Colo.) beat out a fielder's choice after the relay throw from second was not made and Ross Lowe (Lewisville, Texas) scored the winning run.
(Game 1 Information F/7)
Team Scores: Hardin-Simmons (10) Dallas (6)
Team Records: Hardin-Simmons (4-6) Dallas (1-7)
Pitcher Records: W) Raby Hampton (1-1), L) Max Costello (0-1), Sv) Orel Rhodes
In the top of the 1st, Hardin-Simmons started off with getting the first six runners on base safely. Shortstop Zach Hudson walked, second baseman Jamie Dominguez singled to shortstop followed by an RBI single by right fielder Colin Ethridge. Left field Garrett Frazier then walked, designated hitter Jeremy Colon walked in a run and first baseman Gabe Moore also walked in a run before catcher Kolsen Powers struck out swinging. After third baseman Sam Buchkowski walked in a run, center fielder Weston Hickman reached first base on a fielder's choice safely scoring Colon from third as UD catcher Ross Lowe (Lewisville, Texas) missed tagging home plate when receiving the throw from first baseman Zach Saloman (Oklahoma City, Okla.). Hudson then hit a sacrifice fly to center, Dominguez walked, and Ethridge grounded out to third to end the inning.
Dallas answered back in the top of the 2nd, as the inning started with back to back strikeouts by designated hitter Zach Taylor (Humble, Texas) and shortstop Michael Jaquez (Irving, Texas). Lowe then doubled, and Saloman hit a two run homer just barely fair down the left field line. Right fielder Grady Birmingham (Newport Beach, Calif.) then walked, left fielder Tyler Darnell (Southlake, Texas) walked and then third baseman Joe Vondrachek (North St. Paul, Minn.) reached on an error by Hudson, which scored Birmingham. Center fielder Michael Anderson (Denver, Colo.) then hit a two run single through the right side, and advanced to second and third on two balks. Finally, second baseman Nathan Patton (McKinney, Texas) singled to shortstop to drive in Anderson to tie the game at 6-6.
Hardin-Simmons retook the lead in the top of the third as the Cowboys quickly loaded the bases as Hickman reached on an error, Hudson singled, and Dominguez walked. Frazier then hit a two RBI double to left for an 8-6 lead. Colon followed with a walk and Moore was out on an infield fly. Powers walked in another run for the last run of the inning.
The Cowboys got one more in the top of the 7th. Ethridge walked to start the inning, Frazier doubled, and after Colon popped out to second Moore singled through the right side to drive in Ethridge giving HSU a 10-6 lead.
Dallas gave themselves a chance in the bottom of the 7th as they brought the tying run up to the plate. Patton led off with a walk, and after Taylor and Jaquez grounded out and popped out, Lowe and Saloman also drew walks. Cowboys' closer Orel Rhodes came in for the final out and got Birmingham to fly out to center to end the game.
There were 22 total walks in the game. 13 by Dallas and nine by Hardin-Simmons.
(Game 2 Information F/9)
Team Scores: Hardin-Simmons (4) Dallas (5)
Team Records: Hardin-Simmons (4-7) Dallas (2-7)
Pitcher Records: W) Ethan Mann (1-1), L) Brandon Girod (0-1)
In game two, Dallas struck first as Patton hit a bullet home run over the left field wall to put UD ahead 1-0.
In the top of the second, Hardin-Simmons tied the game on a controversial play. With nobody out and the bases loaded, Buchkowski hit a fly ball to center field. As Frazier tagged and ran for home Anderson's throw from center took catcher Casey White (Amorita, Okla.) a few feet up the third baseline. White caught the ball an instant before Frazier crashed into him. Frazier was ruled safe at home due to catcher's interference.
In the top of the 3rd, HSU took the lead as HSU loaded the bases again. Moore hit a sacrifice fly to right field, easily scoring Ethridge and advancing Frazier to third.
HSU tacked on one more in the top of the 5th with their third sacrifice fly of the game as this time Colon sacrificed to left scoring Ethridge for the 3-1 lead.
Dallas finally got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Vondrachek led off with a single to second and then stole second. Anderson bunted Vondrachek to third, and Vonrdachek scored on a wild pitch.
In the bottom of the 7th, pinch hitter Lowe singled to center with one out. After Nick Hovde (Waco, Texas) reached first on a fielder's choice, Vondrachek hit a looping double to shallow right field just in front of a diving catch attempt by Ethridge. Hovde scored on the double and UD tied the game at 3-3.
In the 9th inning, HSU retook the lead as pinch hitter Joey Quartararo singled to right field to score Hickman for a 4-3 lead.
In the bottom of the 9th, Saloman led off with a walk, Birmingham flew out to center, Lowe reached on an error and Hovde walked to load the bases. With one out and the bases loaded Vondrachek walked in a run to tie the game 4-4. Anderson then hit a bouncing ball toward second. Dominguez fed Hudson the ball at second, but failed to turn the double play as Anderson beat out the throw to first. Lowe scored from third and Dallas won 5-4.
Dallas will be back in action on Saturday and Sunday as they begin their conference schedule against Schreiner University. Game times in Kerrville will be at noon and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
#UDCRUSADERS WIN!#WeAreUD #UDallas #SCACstrong #d3baseball pic.twitter.com/uBy9lreP9i
— UDallas Athletics (@UDallasSports) March 17, 2021