Dylan Schuch
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward’s baseball team gained a split over #22 Incarnate Word Friday afternoon at Lucian-Hamilton Field. The Hilltoppers got a walk-off RBI-triple from sophomore Dylan Schuch in game one to win, 4-3. In the second game, senior Brett Friemel pitched a brilliant game was the hard-luck loser, as St. Edward’s fell, 4-3.
In game one, St. Edward’s (16-11, 15-8 HC) opened the scoring in first inning when junior Dexter Moreno launched a two-run homer to left field to put the Hilltoppers out in front early.
Hilltoppers starter Tim Laine allowed just two hits through the first two innings, but Incarnate Word (20-8, 17-6 HC) tied the game up in the fourth inning when Richard Torres doubled home a run and Tyler Jett drew a bases loaded walk for the second run.
St. Edward’s junior Daniel Rufini picked up a huge two-out RBI-single in the fifth inning to put the Hilltoppers back in front, 3-2. The lead would be short lived as the Cardinals responded with a two-out RBI from Hector Flores to knot the score, 3-3.
That set the stage for Schuch’s heroics. Senior Robert Hays led off the inning with a double down the left field line. He was then thrown on the sacrifice bunt attempt by junior Jeremy Houser. Schuch stepped in and ripped a line drive over the rightfielder’s head. Houser scored all the way from first base send the Hilltoppers celebrating at home plate.
Jonathan Burns (3-2) picked up the victory in relief, allowing just one hit, while striking out two batters in 1.1 innings of work. Laine received a no-decision but pitched effectively, allowing just three runs on eight hits, while walking three and striking out two batters in 5.2 innings of work.
Kirk Jewasko (3-1) suffered his first loss of the season, allowing four runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out six batters.
For the Hilltoppers, Schuch, Rufini, and Hays all had two hits for the home team.
In game two, the Cardinals got on the scoreboard first with two runs in the first inning. Tyler Hick led off the game with a double to left field. On a hit and run, Hicks scored from second on an infield single from Chris Pacheco with one out. Pacheco would come around to score with two outs on an error by senior Drew Cross.
Cross atoned for his error in the bottom of the first. After Cross’ foul ball was dropped by Incarnate Word third baseman Flores, the Round Rock, Texas native launched his eight home run of the season to left field.
Incarnate Word responded with a run in the second inning as Hick had a RBI-single.
St. Edward’s then began to chip away at the lead, scoring a run in the third inning on a Rufini RBI-single, and a run in the sixth inning on a RBI-double from junior Justin Shufelt.
Incarnate Word responded once again, scoring on a bases-loaded walk to take a 4-3 lead.
The Hilltoppers would make interesting in their final at-bat, loading the bases with one out, but a double play would end the game and produce the split doubleheader.
Friemel (5-2) suffered the loss for St. Edward’s, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits, while walking four and striking out one batter in 6.1 innings of work.
Hicks led the way for the Cardinals by going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI.
The Hilltoppers and Cardinals will wrap up their four-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. The doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. and will be broadcasted on the Hilltopper Athletic Website. Cameron Kushwara will handle the play-by-play duties.
St. Edward’s 4, Incarnate Word 3 (Mar 20, 2009 at Austin, Texas) (Game 1)
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Incarnate Word…… 000 201 0 – 3 9 0 (19-8, 16-6 HC)
St. Edward’s…….. 200 010 1 – 4 8 0 (16-10, 15-7 HC)
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Pitchers: Incarnate Word – Jewasko,Kirk; Vasquez,Keith(7). St. Edward’s – Tim Laine;
Jonathan Burns(6).
Win-Jonathan Burns(3-2) Loss-Jewasko,Kirk(3-1) T-1:59 A-0
HR SEUBB – Dexter Moreno (6).
Vasquez faced 1 batter in the 7th.
Incarnate Word 4, St. Edward’s 3 (Mar 20, 2009 at Austin, Texas) (Game 2)
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Incarnate Word…… 210 000 1 – 4 8 2 (20-8, 17-6 HC)
St. Edward’s…….. 101 001 0 – 3 8 1 (16-11, 15-8 HC)
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Pitchers: Incarnate Word – Armijo,Chris; Vasquez,Keith(7). St. Edward’s – Brett Freimel;
Jonathan Burns(7).
Win-Armijo,Chris(6-0) Save-Vasquez,Keith(1) Loss-Brett Freimel(5-2) T-2:20 A-225
HR SEUBB – Drew Cross (8).
Armijo faced 1 batter in the 7th.
