Baseball takes opening series versus Sul Ross State University with decisive Game 3 victory

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas baseball team (2-1) bested the Sul Ross State University Lobos on Sunday afternoon at Crusader field, 4-1, and in the process took their opening series two games to one.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Chris Schierhorn (Anchorage, Alaska/South Anchorage H.S.) held starting duties for the Crusaders, and in four innings of work allowed four hits, one run and two walks.

The Lobos' lone score occured in the fourth inning when Sul Ross State leftfielder Pedro Saenz knocked in first baseman Bill Millburn.

In the bottom of the fourth, Dallas countered with a run of their own when Crusader shortstop David Rettinger (San Antonio, Texas/Central Catholic H.S.) lined one safely into left field -- the leftfielder threw the ball home as center fielder Brian Shelburne (Portsmouth, R.I./Portsmouth H.S.) churned down the line in for the score. With the tardy throw to homeplate, Rettinger saw visions of himself standing on second base, but was thrown out by the catcher.

Right-handed pitcher Michael Schweiss (Parker, Colo./Chaparral H.S.) -- the winning pitcher on record -- took over for Schierhorn to begin the fifth inning. On the afternoon, Schweiss went on to strike out five batters, in addition to allowing three hits and one walk.

After chasing Trey Polston -- the starting Lobo pitcher -- Dallas did their heavy lifting at the plate against relief pitcher Clayton Heise. In the sixth inning, the Crusaders got to Heise for two runs. The first of the these two scores began with a double from third baseman Trevor Allred (Anchorage, Alaska/South Anchorage H.S.). After advancing to third off a single to left field from sophomore right fielder Adam Farris (Flower Mound, Texas/Liberty Christian H.S.), Allred scored on a passed ball. Then, a Rettinger ground out to the shortstop drove in Farris to make the score 3-1.

Dallas also put Heise on the books for the game's final run, which occured in the seventh inning. Varea Costello (Anchorage, Alaska/South Anchorage H.S.), the Crusaders' battery, touched home plate when left fielder Devin Arnold (McKinney, Texas/McKinney H.S.) drove him in. Costello also stole second base in the inning.

Off to a nice start to begin their 2011 campaign, Dallas will look to stay on track when the University of Central Oklahoma (DII) rolls into town. The Crusaders will battle the Bronchos at 2:00 p.m. in a single 9 inning game on Wednesday, Feb. 15.