April 12, 2003

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons came away with a doubleheader sweep over Mary Hardin-Baylor, 12-2 and 7-5 Saturday afternoon in American Southwest Conference baseball action at Red Murff Field in Belton, Texas.

The Cowboys were able to take the lead for good in the seventh when the speedy Jared May beat out an infield single and moved to second on a bunt by Jeff Wisner. Ryan Devere then delivered a triple to deep center and scored when the relay throw to third went wide into the Crusaders dugout.

The Cowboys scored four runs on five singles in the fourth inning. True freshmen James Beard and May had RBI singles and Wisner had a sacrifice fly. Those three batters were the bottom three batters in the order. Wisner had a bunt single, stole second and scored on a Ryan Devere double for the Cowboys first run of the game in the third inning.

The Crusaders added a pair of runs in the third and two more in the fourth and a single in the fifth to tie the game.

Jonathan Emens pitched a complete-game for the Cowboys and moved to 2-2 on the season. He scattered 10 hits and struck out two. Bill Pearce took the loss after giving up two runs in the seventh. He struck out five in three innings of relief.

Devere, Seth Gandy and May each had two hits in the game.

In the first game the Cowboys jumped out with a five-spot in the second inning, highlighted by Wisner's three-run home run to left field. The Cowboys also scored five runs in the seventh inning to put the game away.

Kyle Tabor (5-3) was solid on the mound for the Cowboys, allowing two runs on eight hits. He walked four and struck out two. All eight hits were singles. Tracy Howard (4-3) took the loss for the Crusaders.

Chuy Rodriguez celebrated his return to the lineup with three hits and two RBIs. John Schlaffer had two hits and two RBIs and Wisner had two hits and three RBIs. Heath Haverland had three hits and both RBIs for the Crusaders.

With the wins the Cowboys improved to 16-16 on the season and are now 9-12 in American Southwest Conference play. UMHB fell to 17-15 overall and 11-10 in league play.