NACOGDOCHES, Texas – HCU fell behind, 4-1, early before fighting back to take a one-run lead before Stephen F. Austin put up four runs in the sixth inning to hand the Huskies an 8-5 defeat in Southland Conference action on Friday evening at Pilgrim's Park.
The Huskies (11-15, 4-6 SLC) stranded a pair of runners in the top of the first before the Lumberjacks (14-13, 6-4 SLC) came out ready to hit against HCU starter
Kenan Elarton. SFA began the bottom half of the first with a double and three singles to push a pair of runs across with another scoring on a sacrifice fly later in the inning for a quick 3-0 lead.
In the second,
Nico DeFazio drove a two-out double to right center and scored three pitches later when
Tyree Jackson singled to right to get the Huskies on the board, 3-1. After a pair of walks to begin the bottom of the second, SFA's Jhett Creel singled through the left side of the infield to plate another run for the hosts. Following a sacrifice bunt that put two runners in scoring position, Elarton got a flyball out with
Jack Walker nailing the runner trying to score from third at the plate for a double play to end the inning.
In the top of the third, Walker came to the plate with two out and runners on second and third. The senior dropped a single into right field to bring home both
Jeremy Rader and
Luke Bard to pull HCU within one, 4-3. Reliever
Louis Castano came on in relief in the third, retiring the side in order.
HCU scored again in the fourth with DeFazio and Jackson both reaching with one out and moving into scoring position on a double steal. Rader then lifted a sac fly to left to score DeFazio and even the score at 4-4. The Huskies gained the lead in the top of the fifth with
Katcher Halligan drawing a leadoff walk followed by a
Luke Bard double and a walk to
Jack Walker that loaded the bases.
Levi Castilleja then drew a walk to drive in a run and give HCU a 5-4 lead. A strikeout and a double play ended the HCU threat there, however.
The Huskies stranded a pair of runners in the top of the sixth before SFA put up a four spot in the bottom half. Juan Cantua led off with a triple to right center and two batters later Rodric Black drove a two-run homer over the wall to left to flip the lead back in SFA's favor. The Lumberjacks scored two more in the inning to leads the Huskies, 8-5, after six.
Castilleja nearly got one back for HCU in the top of the seventh, driving one deep to right field that appeared to be on its way over the fence but right fielder Cooper Schneider made a sensational catch to rob the HCU catcher of the solo home run.
The Huskies managed to get the tying run to the plate in the ninth after a pair of one-out singles by Halligan and Bard but a strikeout and a flyout ended HCU's chances of a comeback.
Both Bard and DeFazio went 3-for-4 on the night with Bard doubling twice and scoring one run while DeFazio had one double and scored twice.
Castano took the loss for the Huskies, falling to 0-1 on the season. The righty allowed four earned runs across 3.1 innings pitched with just two hits allowed, striking out five and walking four.
Game two of the three-game series will be played at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 28, at Pilgrim's Park.
