Coleman Becomes School's Win Leader :: Bunte Has 5-5 Day; Sweatman Earns The Win

March 6, 2007

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' head coach Steve Coleman became the school's all-time winningest baseball coach as his Cowboys defeated Trinity, 10-5, in nonconference action at John J. Hunter Field in Abilene.

Coleman now has 217 wins, passing Larry Martindale who was 216-228 in his eight year career. Coleman is 217-174 in his 10th season. It took Coleman 53 less games to earn the record.

"It is just a testament of being around some good players and coaches and being here for a while," said Coleman. "I am honored to have the record. We have had some good memories at Hardin-Simmons and having the opportunity to coach both of my sons is a highlight for me."

The Cowboys received one if their best pitching performances of the season out of transfer James Sweatman. The junior came in the second inning in relief of Brian Arnold and worked seven and two-third innings, allowing only one earned run to earn the win.

Senior shortstop Trevor Bunte broke out of a 2-for-21 slump with five hits to pace the Cowboys' attack.

Both teams scored a run in the first and two in the second to make it 3-3 after two innings of play. Taylor Gibbs had a solo home run for HSU in the first and the Cowboys scored on a wild pitch and a Gibbs RBI single to center in the second.

The Cowboys went ahead for good in the fourth when Bunte led off with a single and Gibbs walked. Brad Coleman singled to center to load the bases. Michael Simpson had an RBI single to center and Ryan Stepp had a sacrifice fly to right in the inning.

After Trinity scored a run in the fifth, the Cowboys added two more runs in the bottom half of the fifth. Coleman had a sacrifice fly and Gibbs was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to produce the runs. Bunte had an RBI single in the sixth to make it 8-4.

In the eighth, Bunte and Taylor Lamar had RBI singles to give the Cowboys' a pair of insurance runs. Trinity scored a run in the ninth to make it 10-5.

Gibbs gad two hits and drove in three runs and James Gage and Michael Simpson each had a pair of hits for the Cowboys. Steven Ramos had three hits for Trinity.

HSU is now 7-6 on the year and will host Texas Lutheran for its ASC opening series. The two teams were picked 1-2 in the ASC West Preseason poll. Trinity fell to 5-6 with the loss.

--- HSU Athletics ---