Pair of Home Runs Sink Crusaders in Sunday's Rubber Game vs. Texas Lutheran
IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas Crusaders lost the rubber game of their three game series against Southern Collegiate Athletic Opponent (SCAC) Texas Lutheran University. The Bulldogs powered their way to victory off of a pair of early home runs and a strong performance by starting pitcher J.T. Taylor. Taylor and the bullpen combined to limit Dallas to just four hits and one run.
(Game Information)
Team Scores: Texas Lutheran (9) Dallas (1)
Team Records: Texas Lutheran (16-8, 8-1 SCAC) Dallas (6-15, 4-8 SCAC)
Pitcher Records: W) J.T. Taylor (1-0), L) Jon Talley (1-2)
The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the first inning. After lead off batter Caleb Maly was hit by a pitch, center fielder Cullen Motsinger singled to third, second baseman Austin Colon flied out to left and right fielder Tyler Cauley homered to left center to give TLU a 3-0.
In the third inning, Colon led off with a single to center which was followed with a walk by Cauley. After two consecutive fly outs, third baseman Randy Huerta hit a three run home run to deep left that sailed over the lacrosse backstop net and landed on the lacrosse field moments before UD took the field against Colorado College.
In the fifth inning, TLU started the inning with a walk, a hit by pitch and a walk. After Huerta hit into an infield fly, pinch hitter Simon Scales hit a sacrifice fly to left to extend TLU's to 7-0.
In the bottom of the inning, shortstop Tyler Darnell (Southlake, Texas) and third baseman Joe Vondrachek (North St. Paul, Minn.) reached base on back-to-back two out walks. After Darnell advanced to third on a wild pitch, designated hitter Michael Jaquez (Irving, Texas) then singled to left field to drive in Darnell for UD's only run of the game.
In the seventh inning, Cauley led off the inning reaching base on an error by Darnell. Shortstop Joe Jimenez grounded into a fielder's choice, first baseman Tyler Post walked and Jimenez advanced to third on a fly out by Huerta. After Post stole second, Scales then singled to left for two more RBIs for the final runs of the game.
Vondrachek had the top offensive performance for Dallas over the series as the veteran lead off hitter went 5-11 with a home run, three RBIs, three runs, two walks and a stolen base. Vondrachek's stolen base increases his SCAC leading total to 16.
Sunday's game marked the first time all season where the Crusaders failed to steal a base in back-to-back games.
Dallas wraps up their home schedule this weekend April 17 and 18 against Trinity University. Game times will be at 12:00 and 3:00 on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday CST.