FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University baseball team (3-2) suffered a 3-2 loss in the opener of a three-game series with Jarvis Christian College (7-4) at Sycamore Park on Friday.
Jarvis Christian sent former Ram
Joseph Lyall to the hill and the senior from Richmond, TX, was right at home. Lyall improved to 3-0 after working seven innings and allowing only two runs (one earned) on eight hits while striking out five. Lyall was 1-1 in seven appearances (6 starts) with a 5.33 ERA and 21 Ks in 27 IP as a junior at Texas Wesleyan last season.
In spite of Lyall's performance, the Rams threatened at every turn. Jarvis got on the board first when
Stephen Yancey surrendered a bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning. The Rams answered in the bottom of the frame with a sac fly from
Caden Williams.
After a double-steal put runners at second and third in the fifth inning, JCC's Carlos Andrade provided a two-run single that proved to be the game-winner. In the seventh,
Luis Roman put himself in scoring position with a double. With two outs,
CJ Ateek pinch hit for the Rams and, after a 10-pitch battle, doubled down the leftfield line to bring the Rams within a run.
The Rams nearly pulled off a ninth inning rally.
Kiki Menendez led off with a single and advanced to second on a ground out.
Luis Roman reached on a wind-blown pop-up that turned into an infield single. It appeared the Rams would have runners at second and third with one out after a double-steal. However, the runners were called back after an interference call at the plate although there was no contact made between
Aidan Laurini and the Jarvis catcher.
Garrett Crook drew a two-out walk to load the bases, but the rally fell just short.
Alejandro Guerrero picked up his first save of the season with two scoreless innings of relief.
Yancey (0-1) took the loss after allowing three runs in five innings of work. The senior from North Richland Hills, TX, did not have his usual control, surrendering four walks, but he allowed only four hits while striking out seven.
Alex Lopez turned in four scoreless innings of relief work.
The Rams outhit the Bulldogs 11-8.
Kiki Menendez led the way with a 3-for-4 performance.
Blake Seaton and
Luis Roman each went 2-for-4 at the plate.
The Rams and Bulldogs will complete their three-game series with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. Game one is scheduled for a 12:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- The Rams lead the all-time series with Jarvis 37-9; however, the Bulldogs have won three of the last four.
- Friday's contest was played in a steady 20 mph wind blowing in from leftfield.
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Blake Seaton has posted three multi-hit games in the first five contests of the season. Seaton and
Julio Ibarra have both hit safely in all five games.
