Patriots edge past Texas Lutheran, 7-6

CLINTON, Miss – Patriots opened up the championship round of the American Southwest Conference tournament with a win Friday afternoon. Patriots defeated Texas Lutheran 7-6 in come-from-behind fashion and were able to overcome six errors.

Paige Hodges got the Patriots on the board first in the top of the second with a solo home run to right field.

However, TLU was able to manufacture a run in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at one.

In the third inning, the Patriots’ infield had a few problems. After a lead off strike, Chris Green reached on an error by Chad Daleiden and was followed by another strikeout.

Andrew Femath was then hit by a pitch, and Ryan Nokelby singled to left to drive in Green.

TLU’s slugger Jeremy Macklin then snuck a bouncing ball by Brock Lemire to score Femath.

An error by Hodges on a groundball hit by Drew Farr allowed Nokelby to score.

“It was one of those things where balls were getting away from us and we started to press a little. Holland kept pitching and battling…and kept the score down,” coach James Vilade said.

The Bulldogs added another run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Femath that scored Green to take a 5-1 lead.

In the fifth, the Patriots were able to scrap together a run and then cut the lead to one in the sixth after a two run home run by Brock Lemire. TLU’s Clay Childress homered in the bottom of the inning to give the Bulldogs a 6-4 lead.

Neither team got much production in the seventh or eighth inning, which left it up to the ninth inning.

Austin Newell started the inning off with a double, and prompted the Bulldogs to take out their starter Brad Orosey.

Tom Hembree entered the game and hit Nathan Skeen on the first pitch, and Jake Ashley entered the game to run for Skeen. Both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch and Newell was able to score on a groundout by Kendall Fox.

The next batter, Daleiden, lined out to the shortstop, which left it up to Jeremy Harding. Harding ripped a fly ball to deep center that Harvey wasn’t able to grab, and Ashley scored to tie the game.

Chris Tucker, who entered the game in the sixth for Jared Hood, followed up with a single to left to score Harding and take the lead.

Tommy Rozell, who entered the game in the eight for Brett Holland, was left in to close the ninth, and was able to shut the door.

Rozell allowed a one out walk, but got Farr to ground into a double play to end the game.

Patriots’ started Brett Holland pitch seven innings, allowed five hits and six runs, two were earned.

Rozell picked up the win pitching the eighth and ninth inning, allowing only two hits and striking out two.

Hembree was handed his first loss of the season for TLU.

“The only thing we could do was fight,” Vilade said after the game. “It looked like we were out of it in the middle of the game, and I told our guys to just keep playing. I always tell them the game doesn’t owe you anything, you have to go out and play hard every day, and I’m proud of our guys.”

The Patriots will play the winner of Mississippi College and The University of Texas at Dallas Saturday afternoon. Brett Booher is expected to start for the Patriots.

By Clay Ihlo Sports Writer