AUSTIN, Texas - The No. 5 seeded Trinity University Tigers dropped a tough 4-3 decision to the No. 1 seeded Linfield College Wildcats in the winner's bracket semifinal on Friday afternoon at Tornado Field. Official Site | Box Score
Linfield (37-6), the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to right fielder Nick Fisher's three-run home run. Fisher finished the game 2 for 4 with three RBI and one run scored. The Wildcats then added a run after Michael Hopp drew a bases loaded walk.
Trinity (38-8), however, responded back in the top of the second. Will Donnan walked then stole second and came around to score on a muffed throw by second baseman Hopp on a sacrifice bunt attempt.
The score remained 4-1 until the top of the sixth when Trinity scored two runs in the inning. After consecutive sinlges from Jonathan Hall and Pat Hirschbert, first baseman Kevin Clements lined a single down the right field line which scored both Hall and Hirschberg.
The Tigers were in position to tie or possibly take the lead in the seventh when Trinity's Kevin Francke walked and teammate Christian Muscarello was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with two outs.
However, Linfield relief pitcher Justin Huckins was able to escape the jam after he got Hall to ground into an inning-ending fielder's choice as Muscarello was forced out at second base.
Trinity put together one last rally in the top of the eighth. After Hirschberg reached base on an error, he was sacrificed to second before getting to third on Kevin Clements ground out. Linfield then escaped the jam thanks to a Jeremy Wolf's fly out to center field.
Offensively, Trinity was led by Hall and Clements. Hall finished the game 2 for 4 with a run scored and Clements was 1 for 4 with two runs batted in.
Trinity starting pitcher Andrew Alig suffered the loss as he lasted just one third of an inning after giving up four runs (all earned) on three hits. Alig also walked two batters.
Linfield starting pitcher Zach Brandon earned the win after tossing 5 1/3 inings of of five hit ball. He struck out five and allowed three runs (two earned) in the win. The Wildcats' Chad Haddeland earned the save after pitching 1 1/3 innings and not allowing a base runner.
Trinity returns to play tonight in an elimination game at 7 p.m. against the winner of the California Lutheran/Texas-Tyler winner. Linfield advances to Saturday's 12 p.m. regional championship game against either Trinity/California Lutheran/Texas-Tyler
