Roos Take Series Finale to Avoid Sweep

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas baseball team lost their conference matchup with Austin College 9-4 on Saturday.  They fall to 8-9 on the year, and are currently 2-1 to open conference play.

Dallas 4, Austin 9

WP: Garrett Gray (1-2)

LP: Griffin Kopp (0-1)

The Roos struck first , scoring three runs on three hits in the first inning.  The Crusaders answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning and could have had more with runners on first and third and two outs, but the threat ended there.  A bases-loaded fielder's choice and a wild pitch brought home two more runs for the Roos in the third inning to make it a 5-2 game.

The bottom of the fourth was arguably the most entertaining for the Crusaders on a day when offense was hard to come by.  Tyler Darnell walked to lead off the inning, and proceded to wreak havoc on the basepaths.  He was the victim of no less than seven pick-off attempts, but that didn't stop him from stealing second or getting to third.  Darnell had the pitcher visibly rattled with his antics, and it culminated in him scoring from third base on a balk when the pitcher inexplicably faked his pick-off throw to third.  

The teams traded blows in the fifth, with Cade Corbett driving in what would be the final run of the game for the Crusaders with a single to left center.  Austin added three runs in the sixth, and Dallas would go hitless and scoreless the rest of the way.

Mike Andersen had the only multi-hit day for the Crusaders, going 2-4 with two stolen bases.  Colby Fuller had a solid outing in relief, throwing 3.2 innings of scoreless ball and allowing just two hits.

Up Next

Conference play continues next Saturday, as the Crusaders are set to host Schreiner.  The three-game series starts with a double header on March 26, with game one set for a 12:00 p.m. start time.