Feb. 28, 2009
Box Score
SHERMAN, Texas - Southwestern scored five runs in the top of the 11th inning and the Austin College baseball team was unable to answer as the Pirates handed the 'Roos a 14-9 loss on Saturday afternoon at Baker Field. With the loss, the 'Roos drop to 5-6 overall and 2-4 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.
Austin College jumped ahead early, taking advantage of a pair of Southwestern errors to plate two runs in the bottom of the first. Bobby Schleizer's single scored Bennett Herrick and two batters later Brian Buehler brought home Schleizer with a base hit. Southwestern answered with two runs in the top of the second to knot things up, but Austin College grabbed the lead back on a sacrifice fly by Scott Cottingham.
Once again the Pirates had the counter in the next half inning with Ricky Gomez singling home John Wooten to tie things at 3 apiece, but a big Austin College fifth inning broke things open and put the 'Roos ahead 8-3. Sean Muder and Drew McAdoo got things started with RBI singles to break the tie, and with the bases loaded Scooter Merritt ripped a line drive down the third base line to clear the bases and make it a five run game.
In the top of the sixth the Pirates got two runs back when Nate Shipp launched a two run homer off the scoreboard in right field, and two innings later Shipp smacked his second two run shot of the game to cut it to an 8-7 game heading into the bottom of the eighth. Austin College increased its lead to two when Patrick Ray singled with two outs to score Jordan Robison and make it 9-7 heading into the ninth.
Southwestern got an RBI double in the top of the ninth by Kyle Belski to make it a one run game, and Shipp's single brought home the game-tying run. The 'Roos had their chances in the bottom of the ninth, but the Pirates managed to get a double play with the bases loaded to end the inning and send it into extras.
After a scoreless 10th, Wooten led off the 11th with a solo homer to right center to put the Pirates on top, and Todd Boone and Cray Betts each picked up two run hits to extend the Southwestern lead to 14-9. Alan Lowry put the 'Roos down in order in the bottom half of the inning to earn the win.
Robison finished the game 4-for-5 at the plate with three runs scored and McAdoo, Schleizer and Muder each picked up two hits for the 'Roos. John Shulmeister absorbed the loss for Austin College after pitching 1.2 innings in relief work and surrendering three runs on four hits.
Shipp went 5-for-6 with five RBI and four runs scored to lead the Pirates and five other players each collected a pair of hits in the game. Lowry didn't give up a hit in 2.2 innings in relief, striking out two and allowing just one base runner.
Austin College and Southwestern meet again tomorrow for their second meeting of the 2009 season with game time set for 2:00 p.m. at Baker Field.
