(Photos by Josh Moczygemba)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Texas Lutheran University
earned a rematch with Trinity University in Sunday's Southern
Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship by earning a 15-6 win
over Centenary College on Saturday night. Official
Championship Website | Greg Burnett (TLU) Post-Game
Interview | Zach Jacobs (TLU) Post-Game
Interview | Photo
Gallery | Interactive
Bracket
Centenary actually took the early lead with a four-run first inning, continuing a hot streak that saw them oust Southwestern University with a 15-3 run-rule game earlier in the day. Texas Luthrean was not fazed, though, adding three runs in the top of the second to get back into contention.
Starting in the fourth, the Bulldogs scored at least once in five consecutive innings, building up a lead that proved too much for the Gents to manage in the end. Texas Lutheran hammered out 17 total hits, as well as taking advantage of eight Centenary errors.
Christian DeBlanc and Derek Kanas picked up three hits each for the Bulldogs. Kanas scored three runs, while DeBlanc collected three RBI in the game. Zach Jacobs and Danny Brauckman had two hits and two RBI each, and also totaled seven runs. Jacobs scored four times and also hit his first career home run in the win. Mason Briscoe also went 2-4 with two runs scored.
Aaron Quintanilla drove in two runs for the Gents, picking up one of just four hits in the game. Centenary had three of those hits in the first inning.
Aaron Aleman and Brett Clark combined for a solid outing for the Bulldogs, allowing four earned runs (six total) on four hits, and striking out eight batters. Aleman pitched five shutout innings after giving up four in the first, then was lifted in the seventh after allowing two more runs. Clark pitched the final three innings for his second save of the year, while Aleman improved to 8-2 overall this year.
Texas Lutheran will need to beat Trinity twice to win tomorrow's SCAC Championship, with the first game starting at noon. The winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Playoffs.
