THE RUNDOWN
No. 11 DBU (45-14, 25-5) fell to Charlotte (34-26, 17-12) in the title game of the Conference USA Baseball Championship tournament on Sunday afternoon at Reckling Park. The Patriots have a cumulative 28-6 record against C-USA competition this season.
 
Matt Bollenbacher took the mound for his second start in a DBU uniform and played an opener role, throwing two scoreless frames for the Patriots.
 
Jace Grady provided run support for his teammate in a hurry, turning on a 1-0 pitch for a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first.
 
The Patriots utilized a small-approach in the third. With one out, Grady walked, and Kodie Kolden and Nathan Humphreys hit back-to-back singles to load the bases for Ethan Mann, who used a fielder's choice to push across Grady for a 2-0 lead.
 
Charlotte's Brandon Stahlman put his team's first tally on the board with a solo homer to start the top of the fourth. The 49ers registered three extra hits in the inning to score another two runs and move ahead, 3-2.
 
As DBU looked for an offensive rhythm in the middle innings, the 49ers tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth to stretch the difference to three runs.
 
Both teams used bullpen arms to close the last three innings, and both squadrons pitched exceptionally well, prohibiting any runners from touching home. The Patriots' Conner Mackay and Kyle Amendt combined faced only one more than the minimum while fanning a total of four Charlotte hitters.
 
The following players from DBU received Conference USA Baseball Championship All-Tournament honors:
- C Grant Jay
- INF Miguel Santos
- OF Nathan Humphreys
- DH Ethan Mann
- SP Zach Heaton
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- All-Tournament selections Nathan Humphreys, Grant Jay, Ethan Mann, and Miguel Santos went a hit a combined .443 (27-61) with 18 runs, 19 RBI, eight doubles, four home runs, and four stolen bases.
- After a month absence from the lineup, Nate Rombach came in as a defensive replacement in the fifth inning.
- The Patriots' last three relievers (Alec Baker, Conner Mackay, and Kyle Amendt) did not allow a run.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
28 - DBU was either tied with its opponent or had possession of the lead after 28 of 34 innings during the C-USA Tournament.
45 - DBU finishes the C-USA Tournament with 45 wins, tied for the third-most in the country.
78 - Ethan Mann now has 78 RBI on the season, putting him three behind Jason Krizan single-season program record.
 
UP NEXT
The Patriots await their placement in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship. The field of 64 will be announced on Monday at 11:00 am CT on ESPN2. Read Full Article