FORT WORTH — Texas Wesleyan University (25–5, 11–4 SAC) secured an 8–4 victory over Nelson University (21–10, 7–7 SAC) on Friday at Sycamore Park in game one. The home team capitalized on a five-run sixth inning to clinch the win.
Texas Wesleyan and Nelson both opened the scoring in the first inning. Nelson's Joshua Pinter homered to right field, and Texas Wesleyan's
Daniel Hernandez scored on an RBI single by
Jorge Herrera. The score was tied at 1-1 after the first inning.
In the second inning, Texas Wesleyan took the lead with two runs.
Idelfonso Garcia scored on a single by
Jose Rangel, and Aidan Vega, running for
Marcos Carrion, crossed home plate on a single by
Brendon Vela. Texas Wesleyan led 3–1 after the second inning.
Nelson tied the game at 3–3 in the fourth inning when Mitchell Baker hit a two-RBI single, scoring Drew Ortiz and Ethan Starks.
Nelson took the lead in the fifth inning with an RBI double by Odnal Rivera, which brought in Ryan Avalos, making it 4–3 in favor of Nelson.
The sixth inning saw a decisive turn as Texas Wesleyan erupted for five runs.
Jonathan Pena scored on a bases-loaded walk to Rangel. Vela then delivered a three-RBI double, scoring
Jack Erickson,
Logan Silvertooth, and Rangel. Finally, Vela came home on an RBI single by
Giuseppe Buttaci. The Rams led 8–4 after the sixth inning.
There were no further runs in the seventh inning, and Texas Wesleyan secured the victory with a final score of 8–4 over Nelson.
Michael Pelosi delivered a complete game performance for Texas Wesleyan, pitching 7 innings and securing a victory. He faced 31 batters, allowing 9 hits, 4 earned runs, and striking out 6 without issuing a walk. Despite conceding a home run and a double, Pelosi's control was evident with 77 pitches, including 48 strikes. His effort was highlighted by a 1.29 WHIP and showcased strong defensive support with 4 assists.
Vela led the offense with three hits, including a double, and drove in four runs. Rangel contributed with one hit and two RBIs while also drawing a walk. Herrera added two hits, including a double, and drove in one run. Pelosi pitched a complete game, striking out six over 7 innings and allowing four earned runs.
In game two, Texas Wesleyan's offense was bolstered by a five-run sixth inning, while its pitching staff limited Nelson (Texas) to just four hits.
Jose Rangel scored on a passed ball after reaching third base in the first inning, giving Texas Wesleyan an early 1-0 lead over Nelson (Texas) through one inning.
Nelson tied the game in the second inning when a pinch runner scored on Ethan Starks' single, making it 1-1 through the second inning.
Drew Ortiz's home run in the fourth inning put Nelson ahead briefly, but Texas Wesleyan responded with three runs.
Brendon Vela and
Endi Jaquez scored on
Giuseppe Buttaci's double, and a pinch runner crossed home on
Idelfonso Garcia's groundout. Texas Wesleyan led 4-2 after four innings.
In the sixth inning, Texas Wesleyan extended its lead with a five-run rally. Jaquez scored on a single by
Jorge Herrera, followed by
Truett Claffey crossing home on Garcia's single.
Eric DeAnda's hit drove in
Jonathan Pena, and
Daniel Hernandez's single brought in another run. Jaquez earned an RBI on a bases-loaded walk. Texas Wesleyan led 9-2 through six innings.
Texas Wesleyan secured a 9-2 victory over Nelson (Texas) with no further scoring in the seventh inning.
Samuel Mendez pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 7 batters. He threw 92 pitches, with 57 strikes, and issued 2 walks. Mendez's performance resulted in a win, contributing to an overall WHIP of 1.00. Rey Rivera, Jr. relieved Mendez, pitching a scoreless inning, facing 3 batters, and striking out 1 without allowing a hit or walk.
Rangel posted a strong performance with one hit, one run, and one stolen base. DeAnda contributed as a pinch hitter, recording one hit, one run, and one RBI. Jaquez demonstrated patience at the plate, drawing three walks, scoring two runs, and adding one RBI. Garcia collected one hit and two RBIs, also scoring a run in his three at-bats.
TXWES closes out the series at Sycamore Park on Saturday at 1 p.m.
