'Roos Get Conference Win in Home Opener
SHERMAN, Texas - A three-run first inning proved to be just enough for Austin College as the 'Roos held off a late-inning rally to defeat LeTourneau University 3-2 in their home opener Friday night at Baker Field.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
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3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 9 | 0 |
SHERMAN, Texas - A three-run first inning proved to be just enough for Austin College as the 'Roos held off a late-inning rally to defeat LeTourneau University 3-2 in their home opener Friday night at Baker Field.
The 'Roos established their lead immediately in the bottom of the first inning. After Caleb Staggs led off with a single and Kaden Stegent was hit by a pitch, Desmond Squalls drove an RBI single to left field to open the scoring. A balk then moved both runners into scoring position, setting the stage for Jayden Ayala-Hinojosa. The first baseman delivered a two-run single to push the Austin College lead to 3-0 before the YellowJackets could record an out.
Austin College starter Jonas CeBallos was dominant through five innings of work, earning the victory. CeBallos allowed only two hits and one run while striking out two. His only blemish came in the fifth inning when LeTourneau finally broke through. Blake Vice singled and later scored on an RBI base hit from Chris Savage, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
In the top of the ninth inning, LeTourneau made a final push for a comeback. Jonah McDaniel led off the inning with a solo home run to left field, bringing the YellowJackets within a single run. After Vice and Zach Baker followed with back-to-back singles to put the tying and go-ahead runners on base, Austin College reliever Leo Hohman managed to shut the door, inducing a pop-up and a ground out to end the game and earn the save.
Austin College finished the night with nine hits, led by multi-hit performances from Staggs, Squalls, and Ayala-Hinojosa. Squalls finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while Ayala-Hinojosa drove in two of the team's three runs. For LeTourneau, Vice went 2-for-2 with a run scored, and McDaniel provided the power with his ninth-inning blast.
With the win, Austin College moves to 1-1 on the season and starts conference play with a 1-0 record. The two teams are scheduled to continue their series with a doubleheader at Sherman High on Sunday beginning at noon.