Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

     FORT WORTH, Texas – Texas Wesleyan (14-9) used solid pitching performances from Jason Hopson and Shea Harrison en route to a doubleheader sweep over Red River Conference opponent Bacone College Saturday. The Rams defeated Bacone 5-4 in eight innings in game one, and Harrison struck out nine leading the team to a 6-2 victory in the second game.

     Senior Mark Smajstrla smashed three hits, including a two-RBI triple in the third inning. Smajstrla improved his batting average to .425 on the year and improved on his team leading 42 total bases.

     Starter Jason Hopson pitched effectively over seven innings striking out five while walking none, but got the no decision after the Warriors tied the game in the sixth inning. The team is now 6-1 in games Hopson starts. Smajstrla started the eighth, and got out of a bases loaded jam throwing out the potential game winning run at the plate.

     In the Rams half of the eighth inning, right fielder Kent Russell drew a leadoff walk, and was advanced to third base by a Dan Bruce single. Leadoff hitter Jason Diaz hit a hard drive through the left side of the infield to drive Russell home for the final run of the game.

     Harrison came out guns blazing in the second game as he struck out the first two batters he faced. He did a good job getting ahead in counts throwing first pitch strikes to six of the first seven batters he faced. Harrison struck out the side in the third on 14 pitches. His 29 strikeouts in only 24 innings pitched is tied for the team lead.

     Wesleyan batters combined in a total team effort as each starter reached base at least once. Designated Hitter Kent Russell drove in two runs on two hits. Shortstop Billie Hicks stole his seventh base of the year in the fifth inning. Junior Travis Clifford, coming off earning Red River Conference Co-Player of the Week, doubled and drove in two on a double and a pair of fielder’s choices.

     The Rams travel to the College of the Southwest to take on the Mustangs next Friday and Saturday in a three game series. They return to LaGrave Field to take on the Tabor College Bluejays Thursday March 31st. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.