Crusaders Take Series with Two Shutout Wins vs Howard Payne
February 17, 2024
IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas baseball team won both games of their double-header against Howard Payne University on Saturday, taking the series 2-1 and improving to 3-1 on the season.
Game 1
Dallas 5, Howard Payne 0 (7 Innings)
WP: Adrian Montenegro (2-0)
LP: Brayden Ferrie (1-1)
Dallas took advantage of an error in the first inning to plate the first run. Caleb Hohman (pictured) drove in Fernando Davila with a sac fly, Davila having reached third on an error by the Yellow Jackets' first baseman.
The next three innings were scoreless, until Dallas once again took advantage of a defensive miscue by the Yellow Jackets. With runners on first and second, a wild throw by HPU's pitcher on a would-be groundout by Jake Amoroso sent Paxton Huff and Walker Alsobrooks all the way around the diamond to make it a 3-0 game. Michael Andersen made it 4-0 with an RBI single to drive in Amoroso to cap off a three-run fifth inning.
The Crusaders added another run in the sixth inning, but it would be more than enough as Adrian Montenegro was lights out on the mound. The lefty went the full seven innings, throwing a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts while allowing just three hits.
In his first two outings of the season, he has posted a 0.61 ERA with a 0.55 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 14.2 innings pitched.
Game 2
Dallas 3, Howard Payne 0 (7 Innings)
WP: Marcello Carillo II (1-0)
LP: Brendan Read (0-1)
SV: Collin Johnson (1)
The two sides were once again embroiled in a pitcher's duel, with both teams combining for just two hits across the first four innings.
Dallas threatened in the first inning, loading the bases with one out on three free passes, but the Yellow Jackets got out of the jam with an inning-ending double play.
Both teams got a runner to third base in the fourth inning, but neither side capitalized as the game remained scoreless.
Dallas finally broke the deadlock in the fifth with back-to-back singles by Amoroso and Alsobrooks, with Andersen bringing home Alsobrooks after an error by the Yellow Jackets second baseman.
The Crusaders added another insurance run in the top of the seventh, though it was unneeded on the back of six shutout innings by Marcello Carillo II. Collin Johnson came in to relieve him in the seventh to record his first save of the season, setting the Yellow Jackets down in order to secure the series win for Dallas.
Up Next
The Crusaders will face Lyon College in a three-game series next weekend, starting with a double-header on Saturday, Feb. 24. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 3:00 pm.