Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

BELTON, Texas – The Hendrix College baseball team split a double-header against Mary Hardin-Baylor at Red Murff Field on Saturday afternoon. The host Cru (2-2) took the first seven-inning game 4-3, but the Warriors (3-2) rebounded to win a 14-9 slugfest in the nightcap.

In the second game, UMHB outhit Hendrix 17-13, but Hendrix compelled 13 walks from The Cru's pitching staff.

UMHB took a 3-0 lead on five hits in the bottom of the first. They added another run on a Seth Mogavero double in second to go up 4-0. The Warriors cut the lead in half in the top of the third on a sacrifice fly from junior center fielder Collin Radack and a bases load walk issued to sophomore catcher Seth Mobley.

The Cru went up 6-2 in the bottom of the frame. In the top of the fourth, Radack tied the school record with his second sacrifice fly of the game, plating freshman shortstop Brandon Smith. The Warriors tied the game at 6-6 in the fifth on a RBI base hit from sophomore first baseman Ryan Ritz and a two-run single from Radack. Hendrix went ahead in the top of the sixth when sophomore right fielder Matt Simmons led off with an infield single and later scored on a Smith base hit.

The Warriors tacked on six more runs in the eighth, getting a RBI-singles from Ritz and Radack, a sac fly from freshman second baseman Charlie St. Clair, a two-run double from sophomore third baseman Brady Newville, and an unearned run after an error.

UMHB threatened in the bottom of the eighth, scoring three runs on a Robert Loewe two-run single and an RBI-single from Will Stafford. With two outs, the bases loaded and the tying run on deck, Hendrix freshman reliever Mickey Platz came in and got Garrett Web to pop up to get out of the jam.

The Warriors added one more insurance run in the ninth when Smith led off with a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a groundout and scored on an error.

Radack recorded two hits and five RBI for the Warriors. Ritz went 3-for-7 with three runs scored and two driven in. Smith joined Kirk Kimery as the only players in program history to draw four walks in a game. Smith also scored four times and stole two bases. Mobley added two hits as well.

Mogavero and center fielder Chris Florack each had three hits for The Cru.

Warrior freshman Daniel Imbro (1-0) picked up the win, allowing five hits, three runs and striking out six in six innings of relief. Platz earned the save, striking out one and giving up just one hit in 1.1 innings of work. UMHB reliever Aaron Barteau (0-1) was tagged with the loss, giving up seven hits, five runs, two walks and two strike outs in 2.2 innings.

In game one, the home team went up 1-0 in the bottom of the first with a Loewe sac fly that plated designated hitter Zack Whiddon. Hendrix tied it in the top of the second when Ritz drew a bases load walk, scoring Mobley. In the fifth Mogavero had a RBI-single, giving The Cru a 2-1 lead.

St. Clair connected on a two-run double in the top of the seventh, putting the Warriors up 3-2. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Heath Spencer reached with a pinch hit single, then Whiddon reached on an error, allowing Spencer to score the tying run. Mogavero followed with the game-winning hit down the left field line.

St. Clair led the Warrior offense with two hits and two RBI. Mogavero had two hits and two RBI for UMHB.

Jordan Mattke (1-0) earned the win for The Cru, getting the last two outs in the top of the seventh. Starter Chance Ryan lasted 4.2 innings and allowed four hits, one run, five walks and eight strikeouts. Warrior freshman reliever Kyle Teachout (0-1) took the loss, giving up three hits and two unearned runs. Freshman starter Will Nichol struck out three and gave up four hits, an earned run and one walk in five innings.

Hendrix will return to action on Tuesday afternoon at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark.