RAMS FALL TO CRU
February 13, 2007

Box Score

FORT WORTH, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University baseball team (2-4) suffered a 10-7 loss at the hands of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Cru (1-0) at Red Murff Field on Wednesday.

The Cru struck first with a solo home run from Joseph Villegas in the bottom of the first inning.  Doubles from Earnest Pena and Adam Froeschl and a two-run homer from Steven Reinle led to a five run second inning that gave UMHB a 6-0 lead.

The Cru added two more in a sixth inning highlighted by an RBI triple off the bat of Villegas.  In the seventh inning, Texas Wesleyan finally got its offense going.  Each of the Rams’ first five hitters reached base.  They sent nine men to the plate and scored four runs on four hits.

UMHB responded in the bottom of the frame with an RBI double from Pena and an RBI single from Marcus Volz bringing the score to 10-4.

The Rams nearly pulled off an incredible ninth inning rally.  Ben Kliever drew a leadoff walk, and Harrison Law, Brandon Frazier, and Antoine Cole followed with consecutive singles.  After a ground ball from Blake Walker and an RBI single from Zach Smith, the score stood at 10-7 and the Rams got the tying run to the plate with just one out.  However, UMHB’s Jarred Hooper was up to the task, ending the game with back-to-back stirkeouts.

R.B. Garza (1-0) was credited with the win, after working a shortened opening day appearance for the Cru.  Garza allowed no runs on two hits while striking out five in four innings pitched.

Brandon Whitley (0-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on five hits in two innings of work.

Villegas went 3-for-5 for UMHB and was just a double shy of hitting for the cycle.  Antoine Cole went 2-for-2 with two RBI for Texas Wesleyan after entering the contest in the sixth inning.  Walker and Smith added two hits apiece.

The Rams will return to action on Thursday when they host Jarvis Christian College.  In a change of venue, that doubleheader will be played at Sycamore Park beginning at 1:00 p.m.