Park Takes Two From 'Roos

SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College baseball team dropped both halves of its doubleheader against Park University on Sunday, falling 4-2 in game one before seven errors opened the door for a 14-7 loss in game two. The 'Roos are now 2-4 overall on the year.

The Pirates struck first in game one, getting a sacrifice fly in the top of the first to go on top 1-0 and then added two more runs in the second inning. The 'Roos committed three errors in the second frame, with both of the runs that came across in the second unearned. The score remained 3-0 until the fourth, when Scott Gelbart scored on a grounder by Gus Daniel to make it 3-1.

Park added a run in the top of the seventh, and after Justin Alphonse brought home a run to cut it two a two-run game in the bottom half of the inning the 'Roos would fall short in a late comeback bid. Chase Almaguer took the loss, surrendering three runs – only one earned – in 6.0 innings of work. Brett Taff went 2-for-3 for Austin College in the loss.

In game two, the Pirates once again took advantage of Austin College errors to jump on top early, plating two runs in the first and two more in the second. All four runs were unearned, as the Pirates took a 4-0 lead after two innings. Austin College got two runs back got two runs back in the third, with Oscar Gonzalez knocking in one run and Thomas Oberg bringing home another with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2.

Park's Tim Schaareman blasted a solo homer to lead off the fourth and make it 5-2, but Taff singled home a run and Alphonse brought home another as Austin College cut the margin to 5-4 after four complete. However, two more Austin College errors led to four runs for the Pirates in the sixth to make it 9-4.

Austin College would get three runs back in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a two-run double by Austin Dudley to make it 9-7. The Pirates would plate five more in the top of the seventh, however, to take a 14-7 lead and put the game away.

Christian Thomas took the loss for Austin College, surrendering five runs – only one earned – on eight hits in 5.0 innings of work. Taff and Dudley each went 2-for-4 to pace Austin College offensively.

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