The Austin College baseball team held off a ninth inning rally attempt by visiting Southwestern University on Friday, topping the Pirates 3-2 to improve to 10-22 overall and 7-8 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play. 

Southwestern struck first with a run in the top of the first but Austin College squared things up in the bottom of the second when Mason Leech came home, and two more runs crossed the plate in the third to make it a 3-1 game. Colt Herron and Josh Coughennower each drove in a run in that inning to give the 'Roos their two run cushion. 

That would be all of the scoring until the top of the ninth when got an RBI from Cruz Luna doubled down the line to give the Pirates two runners, and Zach Lynch singled home to make it 3-2 and put Luna on third. However, Herron induced a game ending ground out to preserve the victory and earn the save. 

Todd Takabuki picked up the win for the 'Roos, allowing one run on just three hits in 7.0 innings of work with a pair of strikeouts. Austin Vaughan went 2-for-4 and Herron, Coughennower, and Jeremy Halford each knocked in a run. 

The 'Roos will be looking to complete the season sweep of the Pirates tomorrow when they play at 1:00 p.m. at Baker Field. 

Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. 

About Austin College 

Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope's influential book Colleges that Change Lives.