AUSTIN – Huston-Tillotson University's baseball team split the first of back-to-back doubleheaders Saturday with Bethany College (Kan.). The visiting Swedes won the opener 10-2 before HT responded with a 3-2 walkoff win in the second game.
With the score tied 2-2 heading into the seventh and final inning of the second game, the Rams saw their first three batters of the inning reach base before
Gary Wafford knocked a one-out RBI single to right field to clinch the win. The doubleheader split was the third such split for the Rams this season.
Freshman pitcher Cullen Lee turned in a solid performance on the mound, tossing six innings and not allowing an earned run.
Steel Kupec got three flyball outs in the final inning and earned the victory in relief.
Noah Alvarez tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with a solo homerun, his first homer of the season. In the sixth, catcher Christian Medina recorded his first HT hit with a two-out, RBI single that scored Jacob Perez and tied the game at 2-2.
Kadarien Harris went 3-for-4 at the plate in the win, while Alvarez and
Jeremiah Wiley each collected two hits for the Rams (3-3).
Saturday's opener was close into the final inning when the Swedes plated seven runs in the top of the seventh inning. Despite taking the loss,
Ethan Walker gave a strong showing on the mound, allowing three earned runs and striking out eight in six and one-third innings.
Harris knocked an RBI triple in the bottom of the second inning of the opening game. He scored the team's second run in the third inning when he came home on
Kendall Brown's RBI single.
The Rams and Swedes resume play Sunday, Feb. 2, with a second doubleheader, with both games scheduled for seven innings. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
– HT –
