GEORGETOWN, Texas – Kolby Kitchens scored on a wild pitch in the top of the 12th inning, and Schreiner held on to top Southwestern, 8-7, in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) series opener on Friday night at Rockwell Field.

The Pirates (5-17, 1-3 SCAC) twice fought to extend the game by pushing across a run in both the ninth and 10th innings. However, Southwestern also loaded the bases in both innings with less than two outs, but was unable to plate the winning run.

The Mountaineers (6-18, 1-6 SCAC) started the decisive frame as JC Kruczkowski reached on an error. Kitchens then came on as a pinch runner and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a strikeout, Osman Quintana drew a walk, but the pitch got away from Kevin Wallace behind the plate, which allowed Kitchens to move to third base. Kitchens then crossed the plate on a wild pitch to give Schreiner the lead for good.

Will Cates paced the Pirates' 14-hit attack, as the senior outfielder tallied three knocks, including a ground-rule double in the first inning. Austyn Laird was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Tyler Bludau also added two hits.

Southwestern left 12 runners on base in the contest.

The Mountaineers tallied a dozen hits. Ben Benavides was 3-for-6 with two RBIs, while Sam Pistrui added three singles.

Nick Martinez (1-0) earned the victory after pitching 3.2 innings in relief. The left-hander allowed one run and struck out four, while also working out of two bases-loaded jams.

Riley Wayland (0-2) took the loss after giving up an unearned run in the final frame. Matt Litz kept the Pirates in the game after hurling four innings and yielding a run on only three hits. Litz also struck out six.

The two teams will close out the set with a doubleheader on Saturday, which begins at 1 p.m.

– SOUTHWESTERN –