@UDallasBaseball celebrates 'senior day' versus Schreiner
IRVING, Texas - Prior to the scheduled 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday at Crusader Field, two University of Dallas baseball senior student-athletes -- Alex Thornton and Mark Carlson -- will be honored in a pregame ceremony.
This duo, which is set to play in the final home game of their respective careers, has helped Dallas amass an 85-72 overall record and a 29-25 clip as third-year members of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC).
Thornton (Fort Worth, Texas) is a three-year letterwinning outfielder for head coach Fraser Holmes' squad. To date, he has started 91-of-110 games played. In his senior campaign, Thornton's 27 walks lead the SCAC, the United States Collegiate Athletic Assocation (USCAA), and are third in all of NCAA Division III. His four triples are second in both leagues and tied for 12th nationally. His other current notable SCAC ranks include – three sacrifice-hits, which are third, 31 runs are fourth, 25 runs-batted-in are fifth, and six hit-by-pitches are sixth. A career .257 hitter, Thornton was named to the 2013 All-SCAC Baseball First Team as a center fielder. He was also tabbed to the 2013 SCAC Spring Student-Athlete Academic Honor Roll. An Economics and Finance double-major, Thornton, following graduation, plans to work for the Texas Rangers in their community outreach department.
Carlson (Hawthorn Woods, Ill.) is a four-year letterwinning infielder for the navy and white. To date, he has started 127-of-131 games played. In his senior season, Carlson's eight triples lead the SCAC, USCAA and all of NCAA Division III. He is one triple from tying the single-season school record, and three from tying the school's career record. His other current notable SCAC ranks include – 66 total bases, which are second, 44 hits are also second, 36 runs are second, 15 stolen bases are fourth, a .456 on-base percentage is fourth, 17 walks are fifth, a .537 slugging percentage is fifth, a .358 batting average is fifth, and six hit-by-pitches are sixth. On the defensive-side, 85 assists are fifth, and 17 double plays are eighth-best in the 2014 season. A career .314 hitter, Carlson has received prominent accolades in his tenure at second base for the Crusaders – 2013 All-SCAC Baseball First Team and 2012 SCAC All-Tournament Team. Also an Economics and Finance double-major, Carlson, following graduation, plans to remain in Dallas while seeking job opportunities in the sales and financial market.
After winning 15-0 (F/7) and then 2-1 (F/9) on Saturday, Dallas -- currently fourth in the SCAC standings -- looks to sweep the Mountaineers.