SCAC Baseball Tournament - Trinity vs. Austin College

The Trinity University Tigers jumped out to an 11-3 lead after three innings and survived numerous Austin College rallies, to eliminate the Kangaroos from the SCAC Baseball championship with an 18-12 win at USA Stadium Friday afternoon.

Trinity, the 19th-ranked team in the nation, received solid offensive production throughout the entire lineup. Seven of the nine players in the lineup recorded multi-hits for the Tigers (30-7) led by left fielder Nick Papas' four RBI (3-for-6, two doubles) and third baseman Dominick Robusto's three RBI (3-for-5, three runs, one double).

Other Tigers that recorded tallied multi-hit performances included Jonathan Hall (two), Kevin Jackson (two), Evan Jones (two), Chris Walden (two), Kevin Calbrik (two) and Dylan Early (three).

Trinity's Michael Bentz, in relief of starter Noah Soloman, picked up the win by tossing 3.2 innings of relief and scattered four hits, struck out two and allowed four earned runs. Christian Curtis picked up the loss for the 'Roos (19-21) by pitching two innings while allowing six hits and five earned runs.

The game was an offensive outburst from the beginning. In fact, the only pitcher from either team to pitch four or more innings was Austin College's Scooter Merritt. Merritt allowed just one run in pitching the eighth and ninth innings.

Though Trinity jumped to an 11-3 lead after three innings, the 'Roos refused to go quietly. By the end of the fifth inning, Austin College had cut Trinity's lead to 11-7 thanks in large part to a four run Kangaroo fourth inning. Shortstop Andy White paced the Austin College offense as he was 4-for-6 with one run scored and drove in four more. Jordan Robison was 3-for-4 with a run scored and Philip Gonzales was 2-for-4 with three runs scored.

Trinity will take on DePauw (who beat Millsaps earlier in the afternoon at Rhodes), Saturday at Noon for the right to advance through the winner's bracket and into the championship game.

After the game Jeff DeBaldo of the SCAC caught up with both head coaches.

To listen to Austin College head coach Carl Iwasaki, click here.

To listen to Trinity head coach Tim Scannell, click here.

SCAC Baseball Tournament - DePauw vs. Austin College

The game of the night during the first day of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament was the nightcap between the DePauw University Tigers and the Austin College Kangaroos. After two slugfests preceded the game, DePauw and Austin College played a classic pitchers duel with the Tigers hanging on for a 3-2 win at USA Stadium.

DePauw, the East's #1 seed, scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the first inning and survived a furious Austin College rally in the top of the ninth. The #3 West seeded Kangaroos had runners on first and second with two outs in the top of the ninth when a wild pitch advanced Scooter Merritt and Jamie Garcia to second and third respectively. That was as close as the 'Roos got as Andy White flew out to center field to end the game.

Tigers starting pitcher Brad Gerlach tossed wonderful 7.1 innings, scattering eight hits while yielding two earned runs and striking out seven. Any Manson relieved Gerlach to pick up the last two outs in the eighth before freshman T.J. Witham closed the door in the ninth for the save. Gerlach improved to 3-2 on the year.

Kanaroo starting pitcher Tyler Steed was the tough luck losing pitcher. He pitched a solid eight innings scattering six hits, three earned runs and struck out four. He dropped to 5-6 this season.

DePauw got on the board thanks to a Jon Newman two-out RBI single. The next batter, Alex Wright, then doubled to right center scoring Newman and Rob McPike.

Austin College got on the board in the fourth. After Jordon Robison doubled to right center he was sacrificed to third. Robison then scored on Bennett Herrick's single to center field. The 'Roos then cut the lead in half in the top of the eighth when Tyler Appelquist doubled home Andy White.

DePauw will play Millsaps at 7 p.m. Friday while Austin College will take on West Division rival Trinity at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

After the game Jeff Debaldo of the SCAC caught up with both managers.

To listen to Austin College head coach Carl Iwasaki, click here.

To listen to DePauw head coach Jake Martin, click here.