The Austin College baseball team led No. 3-ranked Trinity University early but a late surge by the Tigers gave the 'Roos a 7-1 loss on Saturday afternoon at Baker Field. The 'Roos are now 4-14 overall and 1-6 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play with the defeat.
After a scoreless first inning the 'Roos got on the board in the bottom of the second when Shane Williams doubled home John Schulmeister to make it a 1-0 game, and that would remain the score through five innings thanks to a strong outing from pitcher Cullen Calabria and some outstanding defensive plays in the field, including a diving catch by Williams with the bases loaded to end the fifth.
However, in the top of the sixth the Tigers took advantage of two walks and two hit batters to put three runs across the plate and grab a 3-1 lead. Trinity batted around in the inning despite the ball never leaving the infield. One more run came home in the sixth to make it 4-1, and a throwing error in the ninth opened the door to three more runs to make it a 7-1 final as the 'Roos were set down in order in the bottom half of the inning to end the game.
Mason Leech went 2-for-3 to lead the 'Roos offensively and Calabria threw 5.0 shutout innings but did not factor into the decision. Colt Herron took the loss, surrendering three runs, two earned, on two hits in 0.1 innings. For Trinity, Ben Klimesh got the win, going 8.0 innings and striking out 14 batters.
Austin College and Trinity will play again tomorrow with game time set for 1:00 p.m. at Baker Field.
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.