SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College baseball team split its doubleheader against the visiting University of the Southwest (N.M.) on Friday night, taking game one 2-1 before falling 6-1 in game two to the Mustangs. The 'Roos are now 3-5 overall this season.
In game one, Austin College got a pitching gem from senior Josh Lewis to earn the win, with the right-hander striking out nine batters while allowing just one unearned run. Lewis improved to 3-0 on the year, scattering just four hits with no walks in the victory.
Southwest struck first in the game, plating a run in the top of the first inning, but Austin College countered in the bottom half when Austin Dudley crossed home to make it 1-1. The 'Roos would wind up getting the only other run they'd need in the bottom of the third, with Scott Gelbart coming home on a fielder's choice for Harrison Baldwin to make it 2-1. Gelbart finished the game 2-for-3 to pace Austin College offensively.
The Mustangs scored first again in game two, this time getting an RBI single by Nate Caban in the second, and the lead grew to 2-0 in the fourth. Two more runs came across in the fifth to make it a 4-0 game, before Austin College was finally able to answer in the sixth when Brett Taff brought Thomas Oberg home on a sacrifice fly to make it 4-1.
However, that's as close as Austin College would get, with Michael Davis tripling home a run and later scoring in the seventh to make it a 6-1 final. Chase Almaguer took the loss for Austin College, surrendering four runs – three earned – on nine hits with four strikeouts. The 'Roos were limited to just two hits in the game.
Austin College and Southwest square off again tomorrow, wrapping up the non-conference series with a doubleheader beginning 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.