The Tigers traveled to University of Dallas last weekend, April 11-12 to play a three-game series against the Crusaders.
Senior pitcher Matt Tindall started the first game of the series on Saturday. He pitched a complete game, allowing one unearned run. The offense helped with 11 runs of support. Junior catcher Drew Butler had four hits and five runs batted in. Junior infielder Connor Moore had three hits of his own, and the offense had a combined 18 hits in a game shortened by the 10-run rule. Trinity scored in each of the first three innings.
“We got some guys who are really working hard on their game. A bright spot would be the talent is more than enough to create a special season out of the messy beginning. Again, it does come down to the hunger and toughness of the players,” said pitching coach David Smith.
The second game of the series had a similar story to the first. Junior pitcher Ryan Gray started the game; he pitched six innings, striking out five batters while allowing only one hit to University of Dallas. Senior pitcher Nick Griffith relieved Gray in the seventh inning to end the game. Game two was also shortened due to the 10-run rule. Junior infielder Carter McEachern led the offense in the second game with three hits. Junior infielder Colin Serkowski had two hits, a triple and a double, and scored three runs. Trinity won the game 10-0 and the offense had 14 hits in the second game. The Tigers put up four runs in the sixth inning to take control of the game.
“Our hitting is improving dramatically. We are having a better, team-first approach at the plate, which helps us advance runners with bunting and well-executed ground balls,” Serkowski said.
The third and final game of the series was played on Sunday. The Tigers scored their first run on back-to-back two-out hits by junior outfielder Austin Singer and senior pitcher Beau Attyah. Senior pitcher Trent Rape started the game and pitched seven innings, allowing six hits and striking out eight batters. Junior infielder Teddy Turner finished the game for the Tigers, allowing two hits in the final two innings of the game. Junior outfielder Jeremy Wolf provided some insurance runs for Trinity with a grand slam in the fifth inning to put the Tigers up 5-0, which ended up being the final score of the game.
“Moving forward, we need to stay focused and even-keeled no matter who we play or what the score is. If we lose focus and get complacent when we gain a lead, any opponent is capable of putting up a six-run inning on us and totally swing the momentum of the game,” Serkowski said.
Trinity was scheduled to play their fifth consecutive away game on Tuesday, April 13 when they take on Our Lady of the Lake University, but the game was canceled due to bad weather. Our Lady of the Lake defeated Trinity 7-4 in the first game they played earlier this season. The sweep this weekend moved Trinity’s record to 22-9, with a record of 7-5 in the SCAC.
“This series was a big confidence boost in the sense that we were reminded of what we are capable of. We are still hungry to go sweep our last two series too; we know how important it is to ensure we make the conference tournament,” said junior outfielder Brody Fehmel.
The has a three game series against Schreiner starting Friday, April 17.
