AUSTIN – Huston-Tillotson University's baseball team opened their final regular-season HBCU Athletic Conference series of 2026 Friday with a doubleheader against Tougaloo (Miss.)
The visiting Bulldogs won the opening game 8-6 in an extra eighth inning before the Rams responded with a 15-0 shutout in the second game.
Senior pitcher Weston Bailey continued his domination of HBCUAC opponents, as we he pitched all seven innings in game two to earn the complete-game victory. A transfer from Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) who returned to his hometown of Austin for the 2026 season, Bailey won his seventh consecutive start, and is now tied for conference lead with seven wins.
Bailey struck out seven batters and scattered just four hits while walking three Bulldogs. Only one Tougaloo runner reached third base in the game, and that was in the seventh inning after the Rams had already built their insurmountable lead.
The 15-0 score was the exact same as Bailey's shutout of Dillard (La.) last week. He ran his scoreless innings streak to 17, and has not allowed an earned run in his last three starts.
Meanwhile, the Rams gave him more than enough support for the third consecutive week. The Rams have outscored their opponents 48-1 in Bailey's last three starts. Meanwhile, Ethan Walker, who took the no-decision in game one Friday, could have used some of the surplus of runs his teammates gave Bailey.
Noah Alvarez and Alec Worden each hit two-run homeruns in the Rams' win Friday. Alvarez' blast was part of a 2-for-4 game in which he collected four RBIs.
Worden went 4-for-4 in game two and scored four times while knocking three RBIs. His homerun was of the inside-the-park variety as his hit went into the deepest part of centerfield and could not be played by Tougaloo's centerfielder.
Tucker Allen went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. He knocked an RBI triple in the sixth, and then came home on Worden's homerun.
Trey Garza hit two doubles for the Rams in the second game as part of a three-RBI, 2-for-3 showing. He raised his batting average to .363, which ranks second in the HBCUAC's West Division.
In Friday's opener, a four-run sixth inning gave Tougaloo a 5-4 lead before HT tied the game in the bottom of the inning. The Bulldogs then scored three unearned runs in the eighth (and first extra) inning of the game to secure the win and snap HT's seven-game home winning streak.
Worden and Josh Wilk each had two RBIs in Friday's opening contest.
The teams conclude their series Saturday, April 18 with a single, nine-inning contest. The game's start time has been pushed ahead to noon due to potential rain in the area later in the afternoon.
The Rams will honor their senior players prior to the game, with the ceremonies starting no earlier than 11 a.m.
– HT –
