Crusaders Take Two, Secure Series Win vs HPU
IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas baseball team swept their non-conference double-header with Howard Payne Univeristy on Saturday evening. They improve to 6-6 on the year, reaching .500 for the first time this season.
Game 1 - Dallas 3, Howard Payne 2
WP: Adrian Montenegro (3-2)
LP: Kyle Purdes (0-4)
SV: Graeme Williams (1)
Game one of the day gave us a pitcher's duel that saw the game move along at a blistering pace. A fluke infield double by Tyler Darnell gave the Crusaders the opportunity to score early on. Darnell popped the ball right up the elevator shaft; the third baseman and catcher both moved to make the play, but neither one called for it and neither one got to the ball as it landed safely on the infield grass. Darnell was hustling out of the box, and got to second easily. David Saldana came through with a two-out single to drive him in and give the Crusaders the lead.
The Yellow Jackets scored their two runs in the third inning under even more prepostorous circumstances. Not once, but twice did they gut a runner to third base, and both times the runner was brought in to score on a balk by Adrian Montenegro. HPU took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth, but coughed it up thanks to two hits and two errors. It would be all the offense that was needed as Graeme Williams came in and shut down the Yellow Jackets in the sixth and seventh for the save.
Montenegro went 5.1 innings, allowing just three hits and striking out four batters tog et his third win of the season.
Game 2 - Dallas 12, Howard Payne 6
WP: Jamie Wallace (1-0)
LP: Chandler Paul (1-3)
The first half of game two moved at a snail's pace, as both starting pitchers struggled with their command. The second inning in particular was difficult, with a combined eight walks for the two teams. The Crusaders were just a bit better at taking advantage of the free bases, drawing two bases-loaded walks and driving in a total of six runs on three hits to reclaim the lead that the Yellow Jackets had briefly stolen.
As relief pitchers came in for both teams, the pace quickened dramatically as the teams combined for just one hit across the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. Jamie Wallace spun a gem on the mound in 4.1 shutout innings of relief, allowing just three baserunners and striking out five. A calamitous bottom of the eighth saw the Crusaders score three runus on one hit and two errors, giving them plenty of cushion for the ninth.
The Yellow Jackets made it interesting as their bats seemed to finally wake up, smacking three hits and driving in two runs with two outs. It would be too little, too late, however, as the Crusaders were able to see out the 12-6 win.
The top of the order combined to drive in nine of the Crusaders 12 runs. Michael Andersen went 2-3 with four RBI, Tyler Darnell went 2-4 with two RBI, and Jon Talley drove in three runs depite being hitless in the game.
Up Next
The series concludes tomorrow afternoon with a single game. Dallas will be hosting, with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m.