SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Diamond Gents put up a five spot in the first, saw the Tigers tie the game, and then used three in the fifth to take the lead for good as Centenary (13-14-1, 5-2 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) knocked off #3 Trinity (17-7, 4-3 SCAC), 8-7, Friday night, March 29.
Centenary put the pressure on the Tigers from the first batter, as sophomore Chris Haggard led off with a single. Junior Cody Crowder and sophomore Preston Ludwick walked before senior Cameron Guin forced in a run when he was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Tyler Welch drove in a pair with a single before an RBI double by freshman Brandon Griffin. A sacrifice bunt by freshman Shane Salzman with a runner at third put the Gents up 5-0.
The Tigers combined for five total runs in inning 2-4, but Centenary took the lead for good with three in the fifth. Guin and Welch singled before Griffin walked to load the bases with one out. Salzman put the Gents in the lead with an RBI infield single. Senior Andrew Russell added an RBI groundout, but heads-up base running by Griffin allowed him to score on the throw to first.
Welch led the Gents with two hits, two runs scored, and two RBIs. Griffin added two hits, a run scored, and an RBI.
Meanwhile, sophomore Connor Cudd (5-2) came in for the final six innings and held Trinity to just four hits and two runs. After Centenary took an 8-5, Trinity could only muster single runs in the sixth and eighth. In the sixth, Logan Morrison walked, stole second, moved to third on a balk, and scored on Mason Meredith's sacrifice fly. In the eighth, the first two batters reached and moved into scoring position on a groundout. Meredith cut the deficit to one with an infield single, but two flyouts ended the Trinity threat.
Cudd retired the Tigers in the order in the ninth with a strikeout and a pair of flyouts.
Meredith and Rafe Chaumette both added a pair of hits and RBIs to lead Trinity. Meredith also scored a run. Arjun Thakar (0-1) took the loss, allowing four hits and two runs in four innings of relief.
Centenary concludes the weekend with a doubleheader at #3 Trinity on Saturday, March 30. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.