RAMS SPLIT WITH H-TU
March 6, 2006

FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University baseball team (6-5) split a non-conference doubleheader with Huston-Tillotson on Monday.  Texas Wesleyan took game one 4-2, but H-TU edged out the Rams 5-4 in the nightcap.

In game one, H-TU scored first.  With two outs in the second, Cliff McKinnley singled and Trent Reynolds reached on a walk.  Both runs scored on RBI singles from Donald Enos and Mario Moreno.

The Rams tied the game in the fourth, an inning highlighted by a two-out RBI single from Jeff Piaskowski.  In the sixth, Texas Wesleyan turned a Zach Archer single and an H-TU error in to two runs to take a 4-2 lead.

Weston Wood (1-2) earned the win after allowing two runs on five hits while striking out seven in seven innings.  H-TU’s James Gilchrist took the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits in six innings pitched.  Archer led the Rams at the plate, going 2-2 with two runs scored.

In game two, H-TU plated two runs in the first with doubles from Donald Enos and Jeremy Macklin.  Texas Wesleyan responded with an unearned run in the bottom of the frame when Jason Diaz drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a fielder’s choice from Brad Henderson.

H-TU made it 3-1 in the third when Daniel Vargas was hit by a pitch and later scored on an error.  In the bottom of the inning, Diaz again drew a leadoff walk and later scored on an error.

H-TU scored two more in the fourth on three singles to take a 5-2 lead.  Tillotson threatened again in the seventh by loading the bases with one out, but Hayden Lackey induced an inning-ending double play.

That set up a dramatic finish in the seventh.  Corey Venable drew a leadoff walk and scored on an error.  Zach Archer singled home another run to bring the score to 5-4.  H-TU then intentionally walked Travis Clifford to load the bases with no outs.  Travis O’Donnell induced a bunt back to the mound and recorded the first out at the plate.  O’Donnell then recorded back-to-back strikeouts to end the game.

O’Donnell earned the win by allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits and seven walks in seven innings pitched.  Caleb Thomas (0-1) took the loss after working four innings and allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits.

The Rams return to the field on Tuesday, when they host McMurry at Sycamore Park.  Game one of that doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.