FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University baseball team (21-14) rolled to a run-shortened 12-2 win over Dallas Christian College in the opener of a three-game series at Sycamore Park on Friday.
The Rams jumped ahead with three runs in the second inning. The rally was highlighted by a pair of RBI doubles from
Jake Davis and
Alex Gudac.
After allowing two unearned runs in the top of the third, the Rams came back with a pair of their own after
Erick Quesada led off the bottom of the inning with a double.
In the sixth,
Ryan Adam ripped a leadoff double and scored on a ground ball from Quesada.
Lorenzo Lynch added an RBI single to push the score to 7-2.
Adam tripled and scored in the seventh, then in the eighth, the Rams strung together five consecutive hits from
CJ Ateek, Davis,
Matt Hexter, Adam, and Gudac resulting in four runs to end the game at 12-2.
Meanwhile
Zach Aitken (4-3) dominated the Crusader batting order, tossing his fifth complete game of the season. He needed 103 pitches to complete eight innings while striking out a season-high 14. At one point he struck out seven consecutive batters and 11 of 12 as he struck out the side in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings.
Jacob Houpt took the loss after tossing 134 pitches and allowing 8 runs (4 earned) on 13 hits in 7 innings of work.
The Rams and Crusaders will complete their series with a doubleheader at Sycamore Park on Saturday. Game one is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
-
Ryan Adam's triple was the 20th of the season for the Rams. That currently leads the NAIA and is just three shy of matching the school's single season record.
- The Rams now lead the all-time series with the Crusaders 13-4, although DCC had won each of the last four meetings.
