AUSTIN, Texas – Senior catcher ROBBIE LAMMONS sent a shot down the right field line to score JACOB VASQUEZ and CHASE FONTANA from second and first, respectively, to launch the Hilltoppers to an 8-7 win over Drury to close Homecoming weekend on the Hilltop.
RYAN MCPHAIL set the tone on the second pitch of the game for the Hilltoppers, blasting a shot over the centerfielder's head for a stand-up triple to open SEU's offensive half. After a pair of strikeouts by Childs, JACOB VASQUEZ continued his hot streak at the plate to drive home McPhail with a single through the left side to put SEU up 1-0 at the end of the first.
Drury seemed poised to get the equalizer in the third inning as Dierenfeldt sent a single to right field with a runner at second who was sent home, but DYLAN MACKIN had other plans with a perfect throw to Lammons, nailing the runner three steps from the plate.
The Hilltoppers' potent offense continued in the third, posting three runs thanks in large part to a two RBI double to center by BLAKE HOLUB.
SEU added one in the fourth to extend their lead to 5-0 but the Panthers had a big inning in mind in the fifth, loading the bases with one out. Starting pitcher NATHAN MEDRANO was able to get out of the jam with just one run allowed, striking out Kayhill for a crucial second out before getting Owens to ground out to third.
It became a ball game with three Panther runs in the sixth and seventh off the Hilltoppers to put SEU in the hole 7-6. Lammons singled up the middle with two outs in the bottom half of the seventh to get one of the runs back, putting the count at 7-6 through seven.
Both teams had base runners in the eighth but neither was able to score as the game marched into the ninth. Drury opened with a leadoff double and advanced the runner to third on a sacrifice bunt. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases. A pitching change brought BRANDON PETTINATI to the mound who got Kayhill to hit a dribbler back to the mound. Pettinati calmly collected the ball, threw home for the force out and Lammons fired down the first base line, getting the batter called out on interference, ending the threat.
Vasquez took to the plate to leadoff the bottom half and drew a walk, as did Fontana, setting the stage for the thrilling ending.
Lammons led at the plate, going 2-5 with three RBI on the day while Mackin also posted two hits and Holub 2 RBI.
Starting pitcher NATHAN MEDRANO had a strong outing, scattering six hits with one run, two walks and three strikeouts. Pettinati earned the win to move to 1-0 on the year.
SEU improves to 7-2 on the season and remains at home to face Colorado School of Mines for a four-game series beginning on Friday at 1:30 pm.
