Baseball continues winning ways, captures victory in both games of doubleheader versus Robert Morris-Chicago University (Ill.)
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - The University of Dallas Crusaders (10-3) won both games of their Thursday night doubleheader against Robert Morris-Chicago University (2-2), first defeating the Eagles, 6-2, and then by a score of 3-1 in Game 2.
Game 1: Dallas 6, Robert Morris-Chi. University 2 Boxscore
Senior Philip Carkhuff (Marietta, Ga./The Lovett School) earned the victory by throwing 5.1 innings in which he surrendered three hits and one earned run. Carkhuff (4-1) struggled with command early, working his way into several full counts. The defense came to the right-handed pitcher's aid, with sophomore James Kerin (East Greenwich, R.I./East Greenwich H.S.) making a diving catch in right field and freshman Andrew Bossert (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood H.S.) making several good digs at first base.
The Crusaders trailed early as the Eagles put a run up on the board in the top of the 1st inning. In the bottom of the 4th inning, the dormant Dallas offense came alive. Bossert drove in center fielder Brian Shelburne (Portsmouth, R.I./Portsmouth H.S.) with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1. Kerin executed the safety squeeze to bring in senior shortstop David Rettinger (San Antonio, Texas/Central Catholic H.S.).
Dallas put the game away by scoring four runs in the bottom of the 5th inning, stretching their lead to 6-1. In the 6th inning, junior Michael Schweiss (Parker, Colo./Chaparral H.S.) replaced Carkhuff. Schweiss closed the door on the Eagles, recording the last five outs while surrendering only one hit while striking out two batters.
Game 2: Dallas 3, Robert Morris-Chi. University 1 Boxscore
Junior Michael Byers (Manassas, Va./Seton Home School) earned the victory in the second game of the doubleheader as the starter. Byers threw a solid 5.2 innings, surrendering only four hits and only one unearned run. Dallas took advantage of an error committed by Robert Morris when junior Devin Arnold scored on a sacrifice fly from Rettinger. The Crusaders added on to their slim lead in the 5th inning on a two RBI single from Bossert.
Byers (2-0) cruised through several innings before surrendering a run in the 6th inning. Coach Fraser Holmes called on Schweiss in the save situation, and once again Schweiss delivered. Schweiss did not allow one hit and struck out two of the five batters he faced.
In his save Thursday, Schweiss (4-0) has allowed only 1 ER in 22.2 innings of work, good for a microscopic 0.40 ERA.
The Crusaders depart for Florida early Saturday morning (March 5th). Dallas will play four games in the span of four days in Cocoa Beach, Florida over the player's Spring Break.