DALLAS – The Patriots (33-13, 17-5 CUSA) were able to fend off the Owls' (25-23, 14-7 CUSA) comeback attempt in the final inning as KSU fell 7-5 in the series opener versus Dallas Baptist on the road.
How It Happened
In the bottom of the second inning, the Patriots scratched the first run across with a single through the middle.
In the fourth inning, DBU uncorked a solo home run to start the inning, taking a two-run lead.
The Owls responded in the fifth inning with a
Donovan Cash RBI single into center field. Beginning the inning was
Shamaar McDuffie with a lead-off single to left field. He was followed closely by
Nate Anderson with another single. With two outs in the frame, Cash splintered a single off the inside part of the bat into the outfield, scoring McDuffie and nabbing KSU's first run.
A two-run blast from Dallas Baptist pushed them out to a four-run lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Aaron Posey took care of business in the top half of the sixth with a sacrifice RBI. As
Wesley Alig and
Cam Suto both reached base with an infield single and walk, respectively. As Alig advanced to third base, Posey drove a ball into deep center field, scoring the freshman for a 5-2 score, still favoring DBU in the sixth.
Back-to-back would be pop outs in the seventh inning were lost in the lights in the Dallas sky, resulting in a run scored in the home half of the seventh, giving the Pats a 7-2 advantage.
Cam Suto crushed a solo homer to right-center, making it 7-3 in the eighth stanza. The excitement continued as
Aaron Posey and Anderson doubled into the right-center alley, scoring he catcher and chipping the deficit to just three runs.
The ninth inning featured the Owls in their patented comeback mode. Starting the frame was Cash with an infield single to the third baseman. Consecutive singles from Alig and Suto brought Cash across, bringing KSU within two with the winning run at the plate.
The DBU closer locked down, giving the Patriots a 7-5 win at home.
Spotlight Performances
- Cash with another double, his 21st of the year, as it escaped down the right field line.
- Suto had a strong day with two game-altering plays, a solo home run and a late-game RBI single.
- Cain struck out five batters through his first three innings.
Next Up
The Owls continue their fight versus DBU as they will begin at 4 p.m. ET tomorrow afternoon for game two of the series.
