FORT WORTH, Texas – The Texas Wesleyan offense looked unstoppable as Thursday’s doubleheader began. Against their first opponent, the University of Wisconsin-Plattville, the Rams had scored eight times on nine hits after just three innings of play. That offense fell silent in game two, however, managing just one run on seven hits in nine full innings of play.

Game 1: Daniel Faulkner, called on at the last minute to replace scheduled starter David Hinson, pitched a beautiful game, picking up the win for Wesleyan. Through the first five innings, kept the Pioneers off the board. He ran into a little trouble in the sixth, though, and finished the day having allowed two runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out six. Wesleyan won the game 10-5.

The Rams jumped out to a big lead early. In the first, a walk and an error allowed Billy Eaton to score on a double play. In the second, Derek Armstrong led off with a single and came home on Eric Vaughn’s triple to right center. Anthony Bolivar then was hit by a pitch, and both he and Vaughn scored on Andy Hughes’ clutch two out single.

In the third, Wesleyan doubled their 4-0 lead. Trey Combs led off with a triple and scored on Aaron Ellis’ base hit. Armstrong and Eric Casias each singled to load the bases, and all three would eventually come around to score. Ellis came home on a groundout by Vaughn; Armstrong scored as Eaton’s ground ball went through the legs of the Pioneers’ third baseman, and Casias came home on a Bolivar sacrifice fly.

St. Mary’s closed the gap a bit as Faulkner ran out of steam in the sixth. The first five Pioneers reached, four on hits, and pushed across two runs to bring the score to 8-2.

They took another step closer in the seventh off reliever Bryant Wilson. With two on and two out, Tyler Yoder smashed a two-run double and Casey Schulz followed with an RBI single to cut Wesleyan’s lead to three, but that was as close as they would get.

The Rams added two more runs in the eight to close out the scoring. Cody Henderson plated Bolivar with a single to right, and a batter later, Travis Clifford stole home as Henderson intentionally was caught in a rundown.

Game 2: Matt Rink’s first inning grand slam but the Rams behind the eight ball early, and they were unable to mount an offensive to get back into the game. Wesleyan managed just one run on seven hits, and lost to the Cardinals of St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, 6-1.

Carlos Medina got the start for the Rams, and pitched well following some first inning troubles. In the opening frame, after a strikeout, an error, hit, and a walk loaded the bases for Rink, who ripped a fastball over the fence in left-center to put the Cardinals up 4-0.

The Rams scored in the second when Trey combs came home on Travis Clifford’s double, closing the gap to 4-1, but it would prove to be their only run of the game.

St. Mary’s scored single runs in the fourth and seventh innings, the former on a groundout and the latter on a two-out double, to take a 6-1 victory.

Medina took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits in four innings of work. He struck out three and walked two. Eric Williamson got the win for St. Mary’s.

The Rams now stand at 12-12-1 on the season, 5-4 in red River Conference play. They host RRAC rival Northwood University this Friday and Saturday at LaGrave Field. Friday’s game begins at 2 PM and Saturday’s doubleheader starts at noon.