Stephen F. Austin
Dallas Baptist
Patriots Walk Past `Jacks
3/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 4, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - SFA walked nine batters on the day and allowed six runs in the first two innings, including a five-run second inning, to Dallas Baptist as the Patriots took a 10-6 win over SFA on Tuesday at Jaycees Field.
The Patriots (5-3) put five walks by SFA pitchers to good use in the first two frames, only needing three hits in the first two innings to build a 6-0 lead that they would never relinquish.
The `Jacks (4-5) got a strong showing from the middle of its order as Noel Trevino, Kevin Croft and Matt Whatley combined to go 8-for-14 with a combined five extra-base hits; however, the 1-2 hitters for SFA combined to go 0-for10 to negate the effort.
Croft's pair of home runs were the first time since April 28, 2007, that a `Jack has accomplished the feat and is the first time he has ever done it as well. He now has 19 for his career.
Kevin Thomas (1-1) took the loss for SFA, as he only went 1.1 innings before being lifted with the bases loaded in the second for Bruce Mayberry. Mayberry got Patriots' designated hitter Ryan Thompson to hit a sacrifice fly to center field to make the lead 2-0, but things would not get any better for the `Jacks. Ryan Enos followed with an RBI single, and Ryan Goins would score one batter later when Mayberry misfired on a pickoff attempt at second base to make the score 3-0. Two more runs crossed when Jason Krizan dumped in a single to left field to make the score 6-0 DBU after six innings.
Ryan Millard (2-0) cruised through the first two innings for DBU, not having any major hiccups until the third inning. After getting the first two SFA hitters Noel Trevino singled to left and Croft immediately followed that with a blast to left field for his second home run of the season, cutting the lead to 6-2.
Kyle Watson then took center stage for three innings after being inserted to start the third. Watson kept SFA close by setting down the first 11 Patriots that he faced, stretching all the way in to the sixth inning. Unfortunately, SFA could not take advantage on the offensive side and Ryan Thompson was able to push the lead back to six runs with a two-run home run against Watson with two outs in the sixth.
SFA, however, would answer with a pair of runs of their own in the bottom of the inning that started with Brian Ferguson reaching on an error by Patriots' third baseman Trevor Head. Jeffrey Kello then went the other way for a double down the right-field line that pushed Ferguson to third. Jeff Brewer then showed off his bunting skills with a perfectly laid bunt down the first-base line that he beat out for an RBI single. Kello was then balked home by Wayne Dowling and SFA was back within four runs at 8-4.
It only took three batters, though, in the top of the seventh for DBU to regain the runs as Andrew Pirtle hit his first home run of the season off of `Jacks reliever Jared West - one of eight pitchers SFA used - before Travis Harrelson came on to get the final two outs of the inning.
The score held firm until the bottom of the ninth when SFA tried to put together a rally after starting the inning down 10-4. Croft took Stafford Perry out over the left field wall for a one-out solo home run, his second of the game, and Matt Whatley followed with his third double of the afternoon to give SFA hope. Adam Bosley then stroked a solid single into right field and Sean Meyers walked to load the bases and force DBU head coach Dan Heefner to go to his stopper, Tyson Bagley. Bagley only faced two hitters in picking up his second save of the season.
SFA continues play on Thursday, opening a four-game series with Sacred Heart at Jayees Field.
-SFA-
