Bulldogs Overcome Five-Run Deficit in 17-7 Win Over Dallas

SEGUIN, Texas -- Trailing by five runs entering the bottom of the fifth, Texas Lutheran scored 15 unanswered runs to pull of an exciting come-from-behind 17-7 run-rule win over Dallas (9-20, 3-12 SCAC) in eight innings on Saturday afternoon at Katt-Isbel Field to complete the series sweep.

It was Texas Lutheran's 14th consecutive win as the Bulldogs improved to 25-7 (14-1 SCAC) on the year.

Dallas was all over Texas Lutheran from the start, getting to Bulldogs starter Logan Fisher (Thorndale/Thorndale) for four runs in the top of the first.

Texas Lutheran responded with a two-run home run from Joe Jimenez (San Antonio/Johnson), his 14th of the season, in the bottom of the first to cut the Crusaders lead in half. Crusaders runs in the second, third, and fifth extended the Crusaders lead to five, the Bulldogs largest deficit since March 8 against DeSales.

Texas Lutheran came to life in the fifth inning scoring five runs to tie the game 7-all. Jimenez got the scoring started with an RBI single. Randy Huerta (New Braunfels/New Braunfels) would score following a Dallas fielding error. Aric Vasquez (San Antonio/Brandeis) would tack on another run with a sacrifice fly to right field to score Joe Jimenez to cut the Crusaders lead to 7-5. Payton Dahl (Round Rock/Cedar Ridge) would keep the Bulldogs rolling with an RBI single up the middle and Blade Strzelczyk (San Antonio/East Central) would score on a wild pitch to tie the ballgame.

Texas Lutheran scored another three runs in the very next inning, opening a 10-7 lead to take control of the game with RBIs from Jimenez, Vasquez and Strzelczyk. A three-run advantage would increase to ten in the eighth capped off by a walk off bases clearing double from Asher Bonnell (Round Rock/Stony Point) to bring the game to its final 17-7 score.

Brendan Beard (New Waverly/Coldspring-Oakhurst) led the way for the Bulldogs on the mound finishing with five strikeouts in five innings of relief to pick up the win. The only two hits Beard would allow were solo home runs. Blade Strzelczyk would pick up the save, his sixth of the season.

Joe Jimenez finished 4-for-5 with one home run, five RBIs, and four runs scored to lead the Bulldogs while Asher Bonnell was 1-for-1 with three RBIs and a double. Payton Dahl and Aric Vasquez both finished with two RBIs.

Up next, Texas Lutheran will face Mary Hardin-Baylor on Tuesday, April 19, in non-conference action before facing rival Trinity next weekend. The Bulldogs split a Sunday doubleheader with the Crusaders earlier this season. First pitch is scheduled for 6 PM at Red Murff Field in Belton, Texas. All streaming and live stats links can be found on tlubulldogs.com

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