Box Score

     DALLAS, Texas - Texas Wesleyan lost an one-run lead in the seventh inning as they fell to Dallas Baptist, 9-8, Saturday afternoon at Patriot Field.

     Texas Wesleyan (2-1) got on the board in the first inning when the Rams strung four singles together, with leftfielder Zach Archer and catcher Josh Vander Hey picking up RBIs.

     Dallas Baptist (1-0) answered with five runs in the bottom half of the first inning with five runs. The big hit came from designated hitter Ryan Olivo, who blasted a two-run homer.

     The Patriots added two more runs in the bottom of the second as third baseman Cody Montgomery homered and rightfielder Ivan Victor doubled in a run.

     The Rams cut the lead to, 7-5, in the third inning with three runs as Vander Hey, shortstop Billie Hicks and third baseman Jason Vaughn all had RBI-singles.

     Texas Wesleyan took the lead, 8-7, in the sixth inning, as Archer, Vaughn and centerfielder Mark Smajstrla all drove in runs.

     Dallas Baptist then took the lead for good in the seventh inning, when Victor launched a two-run homer for the winning margin.

     Junior Shea Harrison started the game on the mound for the Rams and lasted two innings while giving up seven runs on nine hits and striking out three batters. Sophomore Jayson Rachuig suffered the loss for Texas Wesleyan, throwing five innings and allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out one batter and walking another. Vaughn also threw one inning of relief work for the Rams allowing just a walk.

     Stuart Sutherland (1-0) picked up the victory for the Patriots, going 4.2 innings and allowing three unearned runs on seven hits. He also walked two batters.

     Smajstrla led the Rams with three hits, while Archer, Vaughn and Vander Hey all collected two RBIs. Vaughn, Smajstrla and rightfielder Jason Diaz all scored two runs for Texas Wesleyan.

     Victor led the Patriots with three hits and a game-high four RBI, while Victor, Montgomery and Holder all scored two runs for Dallas Baptist.

     Texas Wesleyan will be back in action Friday when it hosts Concordia-Lutheran. The doubleheader is set to begin at 1 p.m. A single game will also be played on Saturday at 12 p.m. All games will take place at LaGrave Field.