The Texas Wesleyan Rams (5-2) swept a double-header (two eight-inning games) at home against the Jarvis Christian Bulldogs (7-6) by identical score of 8-7.
First game: The Rams took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by 1B Julio Ibarra (Caracas, Venezuela) and a two-RBI single by C Aidan Laurini. They led the rest of the way. The Bulldogs got one back in the top of the second on an RBI single by DH Chase Martinez, and another in the fourth on a solo home run by C Carlos Andrade. The Rams added another run in the fifth on an RBI single by SS Casey Moses, and two more in the sixth on an RBI single by DH Dylan Measells (Stuttgart, Germany) and Ibarra scoring on a wild pitch. The Rams led 6-2 after six innings.
The Bulldogs got back into it with three runs in the top of the seventh. CF DeAndre McGuire hit a single into left field with two runners on base. The left fielder lost track of the ball. McGuire came all the way around to score, and it was a one-run ball game. The Rams answered with two runs in the bottom of the seventh; LF Blake Seaton hit an RBI double, was bunted over to third, then scored on a sacrifice bunt by C Garett Crook.
So, the score was 8-5 Rams going into the eighth. Martinez kept the Bulldogs alive with an RBI single with two out. Pinch-hitter Kevin Ciprian reached first on an error, then 3B Angel Guillen hit and RBI single. So, there were runners at first and third with two outs, and the Bulldogs one run behind. They made a gutsy move, attempting a double steal. However, the Rams sniffed this out; the shortstop Moses threw home to get the final out and end the game.
Seaton finished 3-for-4 for the Rams, and Guillen went 3-for-4 for the Bulldogs. Starter RHP Andrew O’Brien got the win; he went 6 2/3 innings, allowed four runs on seven hits, struck out six. Reliever RHP Wade Regas got a save. Bulldogs starter RHP Matt Burrows got the loss; he gave up six runs on 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings of work.
Second game: This time, the Bulldogs got the early lead. They got two runs in the first on a two-run home run by 1B Carlos Andrade. In the second inning, C Kevin Ciprian hit an RBI triple, 3B Angel Guillen scored on a balk, and 2B Alex Garcia scored on a ground out by SS Ryan Emerald.
The Rams got a run in the bottom of the second when 3B Caden Williams scored on a ground out by 2B Chandler Schoelkoof. The Bulldogs got another run in the top of the third on an RBI single by Ciprian, and led 6-1 at that point. However, the Rams got back in it with three runs in the bottom of the third, on a two-RBI single by Williams, and an RBI single by C Aidan Laurini. They got within one run in the bottom of the fifth, on a solo home run by 1B Julio Ibarra.
The Rams took over the game with a three-RBI double by LF Blake Seaton in the bottom of the sixth. The Bulldogs got within one run in the top of the seventh on an RBI double by Emerald, but they missed the chance to tie it because 2B Alex Garcia got picked off at first with a throw for the catcher Garett Crook. The Bulldogs opened the top of the eighth with a fly ball hit by LF Spencer Thomas that was caught at the fence. The game ended with two more fly outs.
Seaton and Williams finished 3-for-4 for the Rams, so Seaton was 6-for-8 for the day. Ciprian went 3-for-4 for the Bulldogs. RHP Evan Rogers, who came on the mound in the second inning, got the win; he allowed two runs on six hits, struck out four. RHP Brad Sugg, who retired all three batters he faced, got a save. Reliever RHP Tyler Arnsberg got the loss.
The double-header drew a good crowd. The box score says 350, which is a stretch, but 150 is believable. Texas Wesleyan provides a snack bar that serves German sausages and chili. The Rams play some of their home games at AirHogs Stadium, a high-quality facility, but this series was played at Sycamore Park, next door to the Teas Wesleyan campus in Fort Worth.
Texas Wesleyan University has 2,600 students. It was founded in 1890, and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.