Box Score GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – The Bulldogs faced Pittsburg State in the first game of the QuikTrip Division II Classic, falling 4-1 to the Gorillas.
The teams were held scoreless through the first three innings, but SWOSU managed to put up the first run of the game.
Christian Perez led off for the Bulldogs in the bottom of the fourth, singling off a hit to right field.
Jacob Spring then walked, advancing Perez to second and threatening to score.
Haden Houska stepped up to the plate with two on and knocked a single down the left field line, plating Perez in the process. Spring, however, was caught out trying to gain an extra base at third.
Austin Hannum began the game on the mound for SWOSU, doing well to keep the Gorillas off the board through the first three innings. In 4.2 innings of action, Hannum fanned five of the 18 batters he faced. However, with two outs in the top of the fifth, he gave up three runs, including two earned, and Tyler Weifenbach was called in for relief with the bases loaded. Weifenbach was able to get out of the jam, striking out the next batter to get the Bulldogs to the fifth.
Pitt State tacked on an additional run in the sixth inning. A Pitt State base runner advanced to third on a wild pitch by Weifenbach. A bunt by Derek Hackney brought in the run for the Gorillas. The Bulldogs would be held scoreless over the last five innings.
SWOSU finished the game with six hits, led by
Christian Perez who went 2-3 at the plate and scored one run.
Dalton Daniels anchored the defense, recording four putouts and four assists.
Hannum picked up the loss as the Bulldogs dropped to 0-3 on the season. SWOSU will return to action in the second day of the QuikTrip Classic as they take on No. 21 Texas A&M – Kingsville at 1 PM.
