FORT WORTH, Texas - The Texas Wesleyan baseball team lost both games of a doubleheader against William Jewell, Thursday afternoon at LaGrave Field. Texas Wesleyan lost the opening game, 4-2, and dropped the second game, 7-3.

     In game one, William Jewell (18-7) got on the scoreboard first when shortstop Ben Blanton knocked in third baseman Jesse Robertson who led off the inning with a walk.

     Texas Wesleyan (11-12) fought back to take the lead as catcher Matt Putman doubled in right fielder Jason Diaz, who led off the inning with a single. Pinch-runner Justin Craven then scored on a single by third baseman Derek Armstrong to make the score, 2-1.

     The Cardinal recaptured the lead when they pushed two runs across in the fourth inning. Catcher David Bates led off the inning with a double down the left-field line. After a lineout by first baseman Curt Plotner, left fielder Eric Smith hit a ground ball to Armstrong at third base and the senior overthrew first base and Sigfusson, who pinch ran for Bates, scored to tie the game, 2-2. Centerfielder Nick Dawson laid down a perfect squeeze bunt that Armstrong fielded and pitched to Putman at home, but Smith slid under the tag to take a 3-2 lead.

     William Jewell added a run in the seventh inning for the final margin.

     Josh Stout picked up the victory for the Cardinal, allowing two runs on eight hits, while striking out two batters in seven innings of work.

     Senior Chris Bayuk (0-2) suffered the loss for the Rams, as he allowed three runs on seven hits, while striking out four batters in six innings of work.

     "Chris pitched well enough to win today, he just didn't get enough support," head coach Mike Jeffcoat said. "He battled for us and I was proud of him. I feel bad for him because we were not able to get him a win."

     Putman and Diaz both led Texas Wesleyan by going 2-for-4.

     In game two, William Jewell again started off hot, scoring two runs in the first inning. The Cardinal received RBI-groundouts from Blanton and Bates to take a 2-0 lead.

     The Rams fought back again, scoring three runs in the bottom half of the first inning. First baseman Travis Clifford had a RBI-single and Armstrong had a two-RBI double off the left-field wall.

     William Jewell tied the game up in the third inning as Dawson walked and scored, advancing on two wild pitches and a passed ball. The Cardinal put the game away, scoring two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings.

     Reliever Tim McWilliams (0-1) picked up the loss for the Rams, as he allowed one run on three hits, while striking out two batters in 3.1 innings of work.

     Matt Shipley picked up the victory for the Cardinal, allowing three runs off of six hits, while striking out two batters in six innings of work.

     Putman led the Rams on the day, going 4-for-8 with one RBI. Armstrong also had a good day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBI.

     "We gave a good effort today, we just played a good team," Jeffcoat said. "William Jewell is one of the better NAIA teams in the country. We lost today, but the good news is that we begin conference tomorrow with a spotless record."

     Texas Wesleyan will be back in action Friday when they host College of the Southwest in a doubleheader at LaGrave Field. The Rams' conference-opener is set to begin at 1 p.m.