Baseball victorious over Texas Wesleyan University, as Michael Schweiss closes deal for Crusaders and Philip Carkhuff earns sixth win

FORT WORTH, Texas - The University of Dallas baseball team (17-6) defeated Texas Wesleyan University of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) early Wednesday evening at LaGrave Field by a score of 4-2.

Senior right-handed pitcher Philip Carkhuff (Marietta, GA/The Lovett School) is now 6-2 on the season after notching the win in the starter's role against the Rams. In 5.1 innings of work, Carkhuff allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks, while striking out seven batters. 

The ever-automatic Michael Schweiss (Parker, Colo./Chaparral H.S.) entered the game in relief of Carkhuff in the 5th inning, and closed out the game for Dallas, picking up his third save of the season. The 6'2" junior right-hander in 3.2 innings on the hill for head coach Fraser Holmes' squad held Texas Wesleyan to just one hit, while striking out four.

Schweiss entered Wednesday's contest with a diminutive Earned Run Average (ERA) of 0.23, which checks in nationally as the 12th best in NCAA Division III. After his outing against the Rams, he now boasts a 0.21 ERA. Schweiss, however, must now play catch-up as he and Carkhuff were tied for fourth nationally with five wins apiece -- Carkhuff now has six wins.

Dallas produced on the offensive side of things early-on against Texas Wesleyan, as the Crusaders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning. Senior shortstop David Rettinger (San Antonio, Texas/Central Catholic H.S.) knocked in the first of these runs with a single to center field, which scored first baseman Devin Arnold (McKinney, Texas/McKinney H.S.).

After walking to begin the inning, center fielder Brian Shelburne (Portsmouth, R.I./Portsmouth H.S.) proceeded to steal second base before scooting to third on Rettinger's hit and scoring on an error by the Rams' pitcher. Dallas' third baseman Trevor Allred then singled up the right side of the infield, which scored Rettinger for the Crusaders' final run of the 1st inning. Of note, Shelburne had a double and also stole a base on the day.

Texas Wesleyan threatened in the bottom of the 2nd inning. With runners on second and third base, respectively, Carkhuff's wild pitch allowed Lassiter -- the designated hitter -- to safely touch home plate. The inning ended, however, when the subsequent batter grounded out to second baseman Joel Hansen (Shadow Hills, Calif./Verdiago Hills H.S.).

The Rams tacked on another run, in the 4th inning, but Dallas countered by matching the output in the 6th inning, when Alex Thornton (Fort Worth, Texas/Arlington Heights H.S.) -- who pinch ran for left-fielder James Kerin (East Greenwich, R.I./East Greenwich H.S.) after Kerin singled -- scored on a wild pitch for the game's final run. 

Next game:

Having won three of their previous four games, Dallas looks to best Arlington Baptist College, as the two squads square off in a doubleheader at Crusader Field on Friday, March 25. First pitch is at 2:00 p.m. CDT and both games can be viewed by accessing collegetvticket.com. Dallas defeated the Patriots at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, 7-2, on Thursday, March 17.