The Huston-Tillotson University baseball team opened its 2025 season with a four-game series against Central Christian College (KS), splitting the doubleheader. In the first game, the Rams struggled offensively, managing only six hits and losing 10-0, starting the season 0-1.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Central Christian took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. However, the Rams quickly rebounded, scoring three runs in both the first and second innings to take a 6-1 lead. Central Christian responded with a four-run third inning, narrowing the score to 6-5. The Rams answered back with three more runs in the bottom of the third, extending their lead to 9-5. Central Christian fought back again, scoring five runs in the top of the fifth to take a 10-9 lead. The Rams, however, regained control by adding three runs at the bottom of the fifth, ultimately winning the game 12-10 and improving to 1-1 for the season.
Several players contributed offensively for Huston-Tillotson, including Kadarien Harris, Kendall Brown, Noah Alvarez, Gary Wafford, DiAngelo Del Valle, and Josh Wilk. Rams’ pitcher Steel Kupec (W, 1-0) earned his first win of the season by shutting down Central Christian in relief over 2.1 innings, allowing just two hits, and one run, recording three strikeouts.
In the third game of the series, Huston-Tillotson secured an 11-3 victory over Central Christian. The Rams got off to a strong start, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, followed by a six-run second inning, and scoring two runs each in the third and fourth innings. Central Christian managed to score three runs in the final inning, but it was not enough to overcome the Rams, who improved to 2-1 for the season.
Kadarien Harris had an outstanding performance at the plate, going three-for-four with three runs scored and four runs batted in, including a run-producing double and triple.
Pitchers Rece Houghton (W, 1-0) and Anthony Larzabal combined to limit Central Christian to 10 hits and just three runs.
Unfortunately, in the series finale on Saturday afternoon, Huston-Tillotson fell to Central Christian by a score of 10-3, dropping their season record to 2-2. The only highlights for the Rams in this game were singles by Kadarien Harris and Noah Alvarez, which were the sole hits that produced runs.
Up Next:
Huston-Tillotson University will return to action on Saturday, February 1 as they host Bethany College in a doubleheader at Downs Field in Austin, TX.