Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

     FORT WORTH, Texas - The Texas Wesleyan baseball team won in extra innings in game two to split a doubleheader with LaVerne (Calif.) on Thursday afternoon at LaGrave Field.

     LaVerne (21-8) took game one of the doubleheader, 6-3, while Texas Wesleyan (22-19) came back to win in game two, 3-2.

     In game two, Texas Wesleyan was down, 2-0 in the sixth inning when third baseman Derek Armstrong singled in one runner with the bases loaded, and centerfielder Mark Smajstrla scored on a wild pitch, to tie the game, 2-2.

     In the bottom of the eighth, first baseman Drew Jeffcoat reached on an infield single and advanced to third on a double by designated hitter Travis Clifford. After Armstrong was intentionally walked, catcher Matt Putman laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to score Jeffcoat from third base and win the game for the Rams.

     Freshman David Miller (2-1) picked up the victory allowing one run on two hits, while walking one and striking out three in three innings of relief.

     Sophomore Tim McWilliams, who started on the mound in game one, received a no-decision, allowing one run on six hits, while walking two and striking out eight batters in five innings of work.

     LaVerne opened the scoring in game one by manufacturing a run. With one out, designated hitter Danny Bonilla singled to second base and advanced to third on a hit-and-run by first baseman James Ortega. Shortstop Ryan Holmes followed with a sacrifice fly to left to score Bonilla and put the Leopards ahead, 1-0.

     Texas Wesleyan fought back to score two runs in the second inning. Right fielder Jason Diaz led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by left fielder Eric Vaughn. Shortstop Corey Stansell followed with a single to center to move Diaz to third. Stansell advanced to second on the throw home. Second baseman Anthony Bolivar drove in Diaz with a sacrifice fly to right field. Designated hitter Jarod Baker then drove in Stansell with a triple down the left-field line to put the Rams ahead, 2-1.

     The Leopards regained the lead in the third inning, when they pushed across two runs, but the Rams tied the game in the fifth inning on a solo home run by centerfielder Mark Smajstrla.

     LaVerne took control of the game in the seventh inning when they scored three runs off of Ram reliever Eric Cartmill.

     Cartmill (2-2) suffered the loss for the Rams allowing three runs on four hits, while walking two and striking out two batters in three innings of work.

     David Hinson, who started on the mound for the Rams, received a no-decision, allowing three runs on five hits, while walking one and striking out two batters in four innings of work.

     Armstrong led the Rams, going 2-for-5 with one RBI. Smajstrla and Diaz both scored two runs each on the day.

     Texas Wesleyan will be back in action Monday when they host LSU-Shreveport. The doubleheader is set for 4 p.m. at LaGrave Field.