GEORGETOWN, Texas - After blowing out Austin College in the
opening game of a double header Southwestern needed gutsy plays
both at the plate and on the mound as SU won two SCAC conference
games against Austin College Sunday afternoon.
Game one started off well for the Pirates as they posted three
runs in the first inning and two runs in the second while allowing
just one run at the outset of the game to take an early 5-1 lead.
After a scoreless third and top of fourth SU put together an
impressive hitting streak to score 10 runs with no outs in the
bottom of the fourth thanks in large part to two three-run
homeruns, one by Cray Betts and the other by Nate Shipp.
With a solid 15-1 lead in hand the Pirates closed the game out
with tough defense, not allowing another AC run, and scored two
more for good measure in the fifth to win 17-1.
Alan Lowry got the complete game win going seven innings while
scattering just three hits, walking one and striking out five. The
lone 'Roo run was unearned for Lowry.
Game two was a complete 180 from the first contest. This game
saw Austin College take an early, narrow lead, 3-2, through three
innings and then SU tied it up in the bottom of the fourth, 3-3.
The 'Roos posted one run in the fifth, two in the sixth and one
more in the seventh and seemed to have things under control until
SU came to the plate for their half of the inning.
Todd Boone led off with a walk and the rest took place with two
outs as the Pirates managed to force four runs across the plate,
tying the game.
Southwestern quickly broke the tie after holding the 'Roos
scoreless in the eighth, pushing three more runs across the plate
to go up 10-7.
With the game seemingly in hand all SU had to do was secure
three outs behind the arm of Russell Kelly. AC's Leech led off with
a single and Merritt doubled to start the inning. Kelly got
Gonzales to strike out swinging with runners on second and third
but couldn't get another out as a walk and pair of singles scored
two runs, bringing Austin College within one run with only one out.
Chris Churchwell, fresh off the disabled list, came into his
first game back in a tough situation but shined with bases loaded.
He struck out Muder and then got Appelquist to fly out to
centerfield to end the threat and game with SU still ahead by one
run.
Aaron Garza earned the win after going two innings, allowing
just one hit and one run while Churchwell got the well deserved
save. AC's Steed garnered the loss.
Jeff Glasgow went 3-5 from the plate, scoring once, while Nate
Shipp was 4-7 with four runs, four RBI's and one home run. Chris
Lowry also had a big day going 4-7 as well with two doubles, two
RBI's and one run.
The Pirates improve to 8-17 overall and 4-9 in the conference
while AC falls to 11-11 on the year and 5-7 in the SCAC.
Southwestern continues their home stand with a double header on
Tuesday, March 23rd against Texas Lutheran University beginning at
3:00 pm.