Montenegro Dazzles, Crusaders Dominate in Season Opener

February 9, 2024

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas defeated Sul Ross State 9-1 in their season opener on Friday.  

Dallas 9, Williams Baptist 1

WP: Adrian Montenegro (1-0)

LP: Gage Cobb (0-2)

It seemed a pitcher's duel was on the cards, as the first five innings of the game were mostly quiet.  Dallas got on the board first with a two-out RBI single by Walker Alsobrooks, taking advantage of a costly two-out error that allowed Reed Morales to reach first and keep the inning alive.

Jake Amoroso doubled their lead with another two-out RBI single, this time driving in Morales who was in scoring position thanks to a sac bunt by Alsobrooks.  

The Crusaders finally burst the game open in the bottom of the sixth, tagging the Lobos for five runs on four hits.  Amoroso drove in two with a double down the right field line, Caleb Hohman drove him in with a bunt single, then Nate Curtis drove in two with a double in the right-center gap to make it 7-0 Dallas.

The biggest story of the day, however, was Adrian Montenegro (pictured); the lefty hurler carried a no-hit shutout into the eighth inning.  He left the game in the eighth after surrendering a run on three hits, finishing the day with nine strikeouts and just one walk in 7.2 innings pitched.

The Crusaders added a couple of runs for good measure, and Marcello Carillo II threw 1.1 scoreless innings to close out the game.

Amoroso finished the game with four RBI, tying his personal best.

Up Next

The series will conclude tomorrow, Feb. 10 with a double-header starting at 12:00 pm.