Box Score
The Dallas Baptist University Patriots Baseball Team improved to 26-11 on Tuesday afternoon in Conway, Arkansas, as they defeated the University of Central Arkansas Bears by the score of 15-1.
Starting pitcher Freshman Ben Palmer picked up his second win of the season improving his record to 2-1. Palmer pitched five scoreless innings allowing only four hits while striking out three Bears batters. Sophomore Jared Stafford stepped in for Palmer and pitched two innings in relief allowing the Bears only run in the game on four hits and striking out one. Junior Michael LaCourse and Freshman Ryan Behmanesh each pitched one scoreless inning to finish off the Bears only allowing one hit a piece.
The Patriots were led at the plate by Juniors Ryan Enos and Travis Meiners. Enos went 5 for 6 on the day hitting two doubles and three singles with three RBI. Meiners went 4 for 5 hitting four singles knocking in one run.
The game was scoreless until the Patriots put two runs on the board in the top of the second inning to break the tie taking the lead, 2-0. Junior Travis Meiners started things off with a single to right field to reach base, then advanced to second base on a Freshman Landon Anderson single. Enos singled to score both Meiners and Anderson on the play and give the Patriots the early lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Patriots extended their lead as they scored five runs. Senior Trevor Head reached base after being hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Senior Brandon Bantz doubled to left center field leaving runners on second and third for Meiners who hit a RBI single though the right side to score Head. Anderson reached on a Bears fielding error, scoring Bantz and advancing Meiners to third base. Enos belted a RBI double to right field to score Meiners before Anderson raced across the plate on a Bears throwing error for the fourth run of the inning. Juniors Austin Knight and Ryan Goins both walked to load the bases. Sophomore Jason Krizan hit a RBI sacrifice fly to score the fifth run in the inning, leaving the score, 7-0.
The Patriots added two more runs in the top of the sixth inning. Meiners first reached on a single to left field. Anderson also singled to left field before Enos hit his second straight double scoring both Meiners and Anderson on the play giving the Patriots a 9-0 lead.
The Patriots were able to shut out UCA until the Bears managed one run in the bottom of the seventh inning off of Stafford.
DBU finished out the game strong putting up two runs in the top of the eighth and four runs in the top of the ninth inning to cap off the convincing win over the Bears, 15-1.
In the eighth inning, Anderson and Enos both singled to reach base, and Freshman Ben Mrachek reached on a pinch-hit walk to load the bases. Krizan hit a RBI sacrifice fly to center field to score Anderson. Sophomore Josh Wilson pinch hit for Junior Ryan Thompson and hit a RBI single up the middle to score Enos for the second run of the inning.
Meiners led off the ninth inning with his fourth single of the game. Anderson then reached on a fielder's choice before Enos singled up the middle to leave runners on first and third after Anderson reached third on a balk. Mrachek hit a RBI single to left center field giving the Patriots the first run of the inning. Freshman Jerrod Eigsti reached first on a pinch hit walk before Freshman Stephen Phillips stepped up to the plate and crushed a two RBI double to left center field scoring Mrachek and Enos. Phillips pinch hit for Krizan. The Patriots added their fourth and final run on a RBI sacrifice fly by Wilson, scoring Eigsti and leaving the final score, 15-1.
The Patriots are back in action on Friday, April 24, in doubleheader fashion as they welcome Utah Valley University to Patriot Field. The first pitch of game one is slated for 3:00 p.m. and the second game will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first.
