Box Score Game One
Box Score Game Two
Box Score Game Three

     FORT WORTH, Texas – Texas Wesleyan (32-17, 13-2 in RRAC) took two of three games from Paul Quinn College (19-29, 5-10 in RRAC) as the Rams clinched the North Division Title of the Red River Conference. Tuesday, the Tigers rallied from a 4 run deficit in the ninth inning of game one to win 5-4. In Wednesday’s doubleheader, Junior Shea Harrison pitched a complete game in securing the victory for the Rams in game one, 3-1. Right fielder Dan Bruce sparked the Rams offensively, and Sophomore Michael Talley held off a late rally as Wesleyan took the series finale 5-4.

     Third baseman/spot reliever Jason Vaughn got his first start of the year Tuesday, and pitched six effective innings. The red-shirt freshman allowed no runs on three hits. The Rams scored four runs in the first four innings before Paul Quinn starter Kenny Beadle put the clamps on and allowed only three hits over the game’s final five innings.

     The Tiger’s bats came out of hibernation in the ninth when they recorded five runs on four hits, a walk, an error, and a hit batsman. Senior Mark Smajstrla was credited for the loss, dropping him to 1-1 on the year.

     Harrison out dueled Paul Quinn starter Roy Hernandez in the second game. Harrison scattered four hits over seven innings while striking out six. The win improved the lefty’s record to 8-2, and lowered his earned run average to 4.29. The win was his sixth in his last seven starts. The complete game was his second consecutive and third of the year.

     Catcher Josh Vander Hey broke out of a mini-slump by going two for three with a run batted in. Junior Zach Archer recorded two singles in three at-bats, and scored what would prove to be the game’s winning run in the first inning.

     Senior David Hinson started game three, but pitched only two innings before giving way to freshman Hayden Lackey. Hinson allowed two runs on three hits, and will likely be called on again this weekend as the Rams face Dallas Baptist in a non-conference three game series. Lackey pitched five efficient innings, striking out a career high five while allowing only a single run on two hits. The Side-armer Talley came on to pitch the final two innings and earn his second save of the year.

     With the game tied in the seventh inning, Paul Quinn first baseman Gregory Malave couldn’t reach a throw from shortstop Jeremy Bourland. In the ensuing chaos, Vander Hey scored from 3rd base and Smajstrla came around to score from 2nd. Smajstrla’s 34 runs scored is tied for second on the team.

     The Rams take on the Patriots of Dallas Baptist in a Friday night showdown. Dallas Baptist narrowly defeated Wesleyan 9-8 at the beginning of the year. First pitch is at 7 p.m. All home games are played at LaGrave Field.