Scorpion Drop Pair of One-Run Decisions to Huston-Tillotson, 3-2, 7-6
Posted March 29, 2008
AUSTIN – Huston-Tillotson University scored in its last at bat in both ends of 3-2, 7-6 victories over the UTB/TSC Scorpions in Red River Athletic Conference South Zone games Saturday, March 29, at Downs Field.

Combined with a 9-3 victory over the Scorpions Friday, the Rams swept the three-game series over the Scorpions and now have a commanding lead in the RRAC South Zone standings with a perfect 6-0 mark. HTU is 23-13 overall.

UTB/TSC, which came into the series winning 14 of its last 21 games, dropped to 15-25 overall and 2-4 in RRAC South Zone play.

"We couldn't close the deal in both games today," Scorpion head coach Joel Barta said. "We swung the bats better today, but just couldn't finish it off."

Despite the three losses, the Scorpions are still in good position to qualify for the RRAC Tournament with six conference games remaining.

"Our number one concern is getting to the playoffs," Barta said. "We've got to take care of business in our next six conference games, and then we can talk about a new season."

The Scorpions face independent University of Houston-Victoria in a road doubleheader Wednesday, April 2. The Scorpions resume RRAC South Zone play in Brownsville April 4-5 for a three-game conference series against Jarvis Christian College. It is the last weekend home series for the Scorpions this season.

Rams 3, Scorpions 2 (first game)

With the Scorpions leading 2-1, the Rams scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for the 3-2 win.

The Scorpions had a 1-0 lead on Gilbert Puente's run-scoring single in the second before the Rams tied the score in the third. The Scorpions added another run in the fourth on Schaune Collins' run-scoring single to take the 2-1 lead.

Tony Lerma pitched six innings plus, allowing two earned runs and seven hits while striking out three. Evan Hardman pitched two-thirds of the final seventh inning.

UTB/TSC had six hits in the game, compared to seven for the Rams.

Rams 7, Scorpions 6 (second game)

The Scorpions came back from a 6-2 deficit after three innings to tie the game at 6-6 in the fifth inning. HTU scored an unearned run in the eighth inning to break the tie, 7-6. The Scorpions rallied in the ninth, and had runners on second and third with one out but could not push across the tying run.

UTB/TSC had 10 hits, with Ryan MacDonald and Tyler O'Neal collecting two each.

Zach Moya pitched the first three innings, allowing five earned runs. Chris Walker, who has become a steady relief pitcher for the Scorpions, pitched five solid innings, allowing only three hits and the unearned run in the bottom of the eighth. Walker (0-1) was the losing pitcher, but has allowed only one earned run in 10 innings of work for an era of 0.91.