Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
Updated Season Stats
Despite a valiant comeback effort in the nightcap of their conference doubleheader, the Louisiana College baseball team dropped two games to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders on Friday night in Belton, Texas, dropping game one 17-7 before falling in game two 6-3.

Game one was highlighted by a huge 10 run third inning by the Crusaders that ultimately led to the Wildcats' demise despite another series opener in which they collected 15 hits.

The Cru got out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a two RBI double from designated hitter Tripp Reeves and a throwing error by LC shortstop James Santiago that allowed Reeves to come around and score just one batter later.

The Wildcats would answer immediately in the top of the third, however, as freshman centerfielder Sully Martin started off the inning with a leadoff and was driven in two batters later on an RBI double in the right centerfield gap by senior third baseman Mark Riendeau. Senior outfielder Jermaine Liggins then narrowly missed tying the game two batters later, as he drove a pitch off the wall in left center field for an RBI double that scored Riendeau and put LC back in the game at 3-2.

But that was the last sign of hope for the Wildcats, as the Cru would explode for 10 runs on eight hits and three LC errors in the bottom of the third, as they sent 15 batters to the plate in the inning to take a commanding 13-2 lead and eventually take game one by a final score of 17-7.

Martin recorded a career high four hits in the loss, while Riendeau went 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs and two RBI and Liggins finished 2-for-2 with two doubles and two RBI.

Game two saw the Wildcats nearly complete what would have been a potential season saving comeback win, but the Crusaders held off the upbeat LC club to take a 6-3 win and complete the doubleheader sweep.

UMHB gave themselves an early 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the second inning when they scored three runs on five hits, four of which came with two outs in the inning.

But LC starting pitcher Bo Ockman would settle in from that point, giving up just three hits over the next four frames to keep his team in the game and give the Wildcat bats a chance to get into the Crusader bullpen.

After UMHB starting pitcher Aaron Barteau left the game having tossed seven innings of shutout baseball where he gave up just three hits and struck out 12, the Crusader bullpen was given the job of closing the game out and securing the win.

The Wildcats would ensure that job would not be easy, as they battled back in the top of the eighth inning to nearly take the lead and snap the seven game losing streak that they entered the second game with.

With reliever Ty Johnson on the mound in place of Barteau, the Wildcats led off the eighth with a single from freshman shortstop James Santiago. After a walk from Cary Myers and a wild pitch that moved both Myers and Santiago into scoring position, Martin came up with another big hit, as he sent an RBI single into shallow right field to score LC's first run of the day.

Myers would then score when senior outfielder Kade Van Norman hit a ground ball to the right side that UMHB first baseman Riley Davis could not handle to cut the lead to 4-2.

Riendeau and catcher Garrett Parsons then drew back-to-back walks to put the Cats within one at 4-3.

With the bases loaded and the red hot Liggins at the plate, the Wildcats saw their biggest opportunity of the night miss by just inches, as Liggins hit a titanic blast down the left field line that would have been no doubt go-ahead grand slam, but UMHB reliever Joe Franz battled back to get Liggins to strike out swinging and followed that by striking out designated hitter Shea Ourso with the bases loaded to end the rally.

With the breath out of the Wildcats' lungs, the Crusaders scored two runs in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach and take the 6-3 win.

Louisiana College's record now sits at 6-15 overall with a 4-13 mark in ASC play, as the Cats have dropped eight straight games since completing a three-game series sweep against Howard Payne at home on March 8^th.

The Wildcats and Crusaders will square off in the series finale on Saturday at noon in Belton, Texas at Red Murff Field.