SAN ANTONIO (March 15-16, 2019) – After a thrilling series filled with offensive and defensive flares of brilliance, the Saints snatched the series from Wiley College 2-1. OLLU fell to the Wildcats in game one  3-5, but bounced back to send the Wildcats home with two losses, 5-0 and 3-0.

The Saints move to 16-13 overall and 7-2 in the Red River Athletic Conference play. Wiley is now 14-10 overall and 2-4 in conference.

History

The Saints are historically victorious over the Wildcats with an overall record of 7-5. (Add games from series.)

Game one overview

Aaron Gonzalez (JR/Houston, Texas) came out to pitch on Friday night. The nine-inning game ended with seven-innings of work for the starter. He allowed six hits and struck out nine. Ty Cook (SO/Highlands, Texas) came in for relief in the eighth inning. He put in two innings of work and held the Wildcats to no hits and no runs and struck out two to end the game.

The first game was scoreless up until the fifth inning when the Saints put one run on the board. A triple from Alec Martinez (SO/Corpus Christi, Texas) put the Saints on the bases and in scoring position. A single from Matt Mihalov (JR/Conroe, Texas) scored Martinez and gave the Saints the lead. A line out, double play from the Wildcats retired two Saints and Ryan Chapa (SO/Corpus Christi, Texas) was forced out at second with a fielder's choice to end the inning.

Wiley answered back in the sixth inning by scoring two runs. A single from Luis Santiago put the Wildcats on base with no outs. The Wildcats took advantage of the short game with Dominic Tezeno bunting for a hit and reaching base safely. A defensive miscue from the Saints resulted in one run scoring for the Wildcats. A double from Tyler Baumann scored Tezeno and Baumann was caught stretching his double to a triple and called out. Gonzalez pitched tough for the Saints forcing the Wildcats to fly out to right and pop out to first.

OLLU's offense jump started in the seventh inning with the Saints adding two runs to their lead. A bobble from the Wildcats helped OLLU's Martinez reach first. Needing speed on the bases, OLLU subbed in EricTyler Guerrero (SO/Floresville, Texas) to run for Martinez. A pop out from Ryan Ramsey (SR/Grapevine, Texas) was out number one for the Saints. Boedy Flores (FR/Harlingen, Texas) came in to pinch hit for the Saints and doubled to center and scored Guerrero. A double from Ryan Chapa scored Flores and added another run to the lead for the Saints. Roland Cantu (FR/Converse, Texas) came in to pinch hit for TJ Kassner (SR/Corpus Christi, Texas), but he flied out to right and Chapa advanced to third. Matthew Klar (FR/San Antonio, Texas) was hit by a pitch and added another stolen base to his name. Chapa was picked off by the catcher and caught trying to steal after getting into a run down with the catcher and third base.

Wiley opened up the game in the eighth inning with three runs being scored. The inning started off with a walk for Dorian Lewis and Santiago reaching first on a bunt for a hit. Timmie Russell came in to pinch run for Lewis and advanced to second on the bunt. Wiley's Tezeno bunted and reached first on a fielder's choice. A defensive miscue from the Saints allowed one run for the Wildcats. A sac fly from Baumann scored another run for the Wildcats and moved the runners into scoring position. The Wildcats scored their last run of the game off of a wild throw and ended their offensive efforts.

The Saints were unable to score the rest of the game and fell to the Wildcats 3-5.

Game two overview

Left-handed ace Logan Garza (SO/Round Rock, Texas) got the start for the Saints in the second game of the series. He went the distance and earned a win and the shutout. He allowed three hits, one walk and nine strikeouts.

After recording a scoreless first inning, the Saints got their offense started in the second inning. The inning started with Flores striking out, but Ludwig picked him up and recorded a single to left. A line out from Xavier Solis (JR/Victoria, Texas) was the second out for the Saints. Chapa drew a walk and Ludwig advanced to scoring position. A single from Kassner scored Ludwig and moved Chapa to third. Kassner added another stolen base and the Saints threatened the Wildcats in scoring position again. Mihalov stayed patient in the batter's box and earned a walk to load up the bases. Diaz stepped into the batter's box and hit a shot to left field to score Chapa and Kassner. Mihalov got caught stretching and trying to advance to third base to end the inning.

The game remained stagnant until the fifth inning when the Saints added another run to their lead. Martinez singled to the left and advanced to second off of a wild pitch from the Wildcats. Flores recorded a sacrifice bunt for the first out and moved Martinez to third. Ludwig punched the ball to right field for a single and scored Martinez. Pinch runner Guerrero came in to run for Ludwig. Solis singled to center and Guerrero advanced to third. Solis was tagged out when he tried to return to base and Chapa grounded out to second to end the inning.

An insurance run was added in the sixth inning. Kassner kicked off the offensive efforts with a double to left. A sacrifice bunt from Mihalov advanced Kassner to third. Diaz recorded a single to left and Kassner scored for the Saints. A pop out and poor base running ended the inning for the Saints.

OLLU defeated Wiley 5-0.

Game three overview

Triston Scherer (SO/Crosby, Texas) got the call for the Saints on the mound. Right away, he got in trouble, allowing the bases to fill up, but he was able to get out of the inning allowing just one hit.

The game stay scoreless through the fourth inning when Jose Diaz (JR/Pinar del Rio, Cuba) got the offense started. He singled to left and Daniel Anciso (SR/Harlingen, Texas) repeated with a hit to left. Alec Martinez hit a sac fly and Diaz came home to give the Saints the 1-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Xavier Solis got on base on a double. Kassner singled to center and Solis came home. A passed by the Wiley catcher sent Kassner home and the Saints took the 3-0 lead. No other runs were scored.

Scherer earned the win after pitching six innings, allowing one hit while striking out seven. Ryan Ramsey came in relief, followed by Alec Martinez, who earned the save.

Up next

The Saints will travel down the road to take on NCAA DIII Trinity University on Tuesday, March 19. OLLU will take on the Tigers in one seven-inning game beginning at 7 p.m.