You win some, you lose some.
This has always been true in baseball, but nearly every manner in which a loss or win can occur was on display this weekend when the SXU Cougar baseball team went 1-2 in a three-game series against Trinity Christian College (Friday at TCC and a double-header on Saturday at Ferrell Memorial Field).
By weekend’s end, SXU held a 14-10 record (9-6 in the CCAC).
FRIDAY
The Cougars’ offense lacked potency on a cold, sunny day when they met the Trolls in Palos Heights, Ill., en route to a 7-1 loss.
SXU’s lone run came in the top of the fifth inning when freshman second baseman Brian McQuillan led off with a walk. He advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt, then moved into third on a grounder to the second baseman. Freshman center fielder Jim Augle picked up the RBI with a grounder to shortstop.
It looked for the first three innings as though the game would be a duel of the pitchers. Senior right-hander Lucas Fritsch started the game strong for the Cougars, allowing only two hits through the first three frames with a matching couple of strikeouts.
Trouble came in the bottom of the fourth, however, when the Trolls’ bats came alive for three runs on four hits.
SATURDAY—GAME 1
Having lost on the road to Trinity the day before, SXU returned the lack of hospitality when the Trolls visited the South Side. The Cougars squeaked out a thrilling 9-8 victory in a seven-inning game on a very gusty day.
TCC jumped out to an early two-run lead in the first inning off junior righty Scott Vachon, but SXU struck back with a run of its own in the bottom of the first and at least one run in each inning thereafter.
SXU had a rough top of the seventh, as senior right-hander Mike Stirling came on in relief with an 8-6 lead to nail down the win for Vachon. There were two outs and a runner on second when Stirling surrendered a wind-aided home run to left field that tied the game.
The Cougars did not lose heart, however. Freshman shortstop Alec Barnhart singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh and McQuillan laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved Barhnart into scoring position for senior leadoff hitter and catcher Tony O’Shea. O’Shea hit the ball right back to the pitcher, who could not be satisfied with the out at first and instead hurried a throw to third to try and cut down the advancing Barnhart.
The errant throw eluded the third baseman, allowing Barnhart to race home for the Cougars’ victory.
SATURDAY—Game 2
After a short break, the teams (or at least the offenses) reconvened and got right back to business. TCC salvaged the series victory with a 21-16 win.
While offense was easy to come by, the pitching and defense were not as sharp. The nine-inning game saw seven errors (six by SXU). Junior left fielder Brad Myjak had a strong showing in the field, however, making a diving catch toward the left field line and another diving catch in the left-centerfield alley.
Offensively, Barnhart and junior first baseman Thomas Keating led the way with three hits and three RBI each. Myjak went 2-for-3 with four runs scored and a run driven in, and he failed to reach base only once in his seven plate appearances.
Make your plans to be at Ferrell Memorial Field on Friday, April 12, when the Cougars play host to Holy Cross College (Ind.).
Tim Carroll
Sports Contributor