This is my passion. I have broadcast several games for the 18-8 University of Dallas Crusaders and I have enjoyed it thoroughly. I happen to think this is one of the best views of campus.The University of Dallas men’s baseball team improved their record to 18-7 after winning a single game in Fort Worth, Texas before splitting last Friday’s doubleheader at home. The Crusaders began their week’s action with a 4-2 victory over Texas Wesleyan University last Wednesday (3/23) at LaGrave Field, the home of the Fort Worth Cats. Starter Phil Carkhuff (6-2) earned the victory by scattering five hits in 5.1 innings pitched while allowing two runs to score, one of which was an earned run. Carkhuff pitched with a lead his entire outing as the Crusaders put three runs on the board in the 1st inning.
Dallas once again took advantage of their opponent’s errors as several Wesleyan errors helped the Crusaders jump start their offense. Steals by leftfielder Devin Arnold and centerfielder Brian Shelburne, the first two batters in the lineup, also ignited the Crusaders offense. In the 6th inning, pinch runner Alex Thornton scored on a wild pitch, giving the Crusaders a two run lead at 4-2.
In the 6th inning, Carkhuff was pulled after surrendering a single which loaded the bases. Head coach Fraser Holmes called on the reliable Michael Schweiss to pitch out of the jam, or at least to limit the damage. Schweiss absolutely delivered in a big situation, striking out a pinch hitter before inducing a groundball out. The Crusaders failed to score in the final three frames, but a two run lead was enough for Schweiss who earned a save as he closed the door on Wesleyan. Schweiss (5-0) surrendered only one hit in the last three frames while striking out three more batters.
Last Friday afternoon (3/25) Dallas split a doubleheader with Arlington Baptist College, winning Game 1, 4-1, while dropping Game 2, 7-4. The story of the first game of the doubleheader was junior Michael Byers, who threw a seven inning complete-game three hitter. Though he struggled with command, early, Byers mixed it up well, throwing as many balls as strikes to the Patriot batters.
Dallas continued in their scrappy offensive ways, managing to push across four runs in a variety of ways. The Crusaders scored the first run of the game in the 2nd inning, as right-fielder Adam Farris and shortstop David Rettinger led off the inning with hit by pitches. They both advanced to third on a passed ball, and Farris came in to score from third on an error by Arlington Baptist, which allowed the hitter Delano Ponce to reach first base.
Dallas scored the go ahead run in the bottom of the 3rd inning after center-fielder Brian Shelburne reached first base on a walk and then promptly stole second base for his 19th steal of the year. Shelburne moved over to third on a single from Andrew Bossert, before being knocked in on an RBI fielder's choice from Farris.
The final two of Dallas' runs came in the 5th and 6th innings. Shelburne proved to be the Crusaders' catalyst yet again, as he singled to lead off the 5th inning before stealing his 20th base of the season. Shelburne then advanced to third on a passed ball before scoring on a fielder's choice hit by Bossert. In the 6th inning, the Crusaders had a small two-out rally which proved an insurance run. The rally began when second baseman Mark Carlson reached first on a walk. Designated hitter Devin Arnold walked to keep the inning alive, before Shelburne knocked in Carlson on an RBI single. Byers closed out the game with a 1-2-3 7thinning to improve his record to 5-1 on the season, while lowering his ERA to 4.36.
Dallas struggled mightily in Game 2 of the doubleheader as starting pitcher Chris Schierhorn recorded just 7 outs before being pulled in the 3rd inning. For the second time in the week, Coach Holmes called on Schweiss to pitch out of a bases loaded jam. This time Schweiss could not escape without damage as he allowed all three of Schierhorn’s base runners to score. Dallas scored two runs in a 6th inning rally, but could not push any across in the 7th inning, dropping Game 2, 7-4.
The Crusaders next home game is today (3/29) at 4:00 PM against Texas Wesleyan. Dallas then plays a weekend series at University of Texas - Dallas.
