POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – The No. 7 Seed Dallas Christian College baseball team fell to No. 6 Seed Champion Christian College in an elimination game on Tuesday morning. The Crusaders gained their first lead of the NDAG Regional in the top of the sixth inning on a two-run home run to left center field by
Gustavo Silverio to make it 4-3.
The Tigers answered with a six-run bottom of the inning to advance to the next game later in the afternoon.
DCC got a two-run homer from
Cooper Ness in the seventh to nip the deficit, but it was too late as the final score would be 9-6.
Champion Christian got on the board in the second inning with a solo shot by Zayne Earl. The Tigers would score two more runs in the third inning.
A quiet DCC offense got things going in the fourth as
Marcos Franjul tripled to center field on an 0-1 pitch. He scored on a single to center by Ness. With two runners on and none retired,
Joel Stone rolled into a double play.
Jaylen Camarillo battled on a 1-2 pitch with a single through the right side and Ness scored to make it 3-2. That was as close as the Crusaders made it, as two were eventually stranded at first and second.
With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Champion Christian had a chance to go up with runners on the corners. A three-pitch swinging strikeout thrown by DCC starter
Collin Patten would end the threat.
In the fifth, the Crusaders looked to keep the momentum going.
Stefon Reyes was hit by a pitch with one out.
Marcos Franjul hit a grounder at shortstop deep in the hole. The best play was to second, but a great slide by Reyes beat the throw and it was no on and no outs. Ness would ground into a double play that snuffed the rally.
DCC once again found itself trying to keep the margin at the same place. An error started the inning. After a sacrifice bunt, there was a walk and then an error on a throw-over allowed the lead runner to head to third with one out. Patten again made the necessary pitches, as he got a key strikeout swinging with the defense pulled in. A fielder's choice to shortstop with the flip to second would keep the score intact.
Looking for life, Stone was hit by a pitch on a 1-0 count with one out. With two away, the number nine hitter, Silverio, smashed a first pitch to left center field for his fourth round-tripper on the campaign.
Things unraveled for the DCC in the next half inning. A single started the frame, but a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt allowed the Tigers to tie the game. Robert Cormier hit a ground-rule double to center and put the Tigers back in front. Blayne Farrington added a two-run double in the big inning.
Ness clubbed a laser in the top of the seventh for his fifth homer and cut the score closer.
Travis Whitehurst ended the game with a high chopper to third. Despite hustling down the line and an off-line throw, the Tigers would apply the tag in time.
The Crusaders totaled nine hits both games in the regional tournament. Ness was 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Silverio was the other multi-hit performer. Manny Valenzuela had the first hit of the game, while
Brandon Andrews and
Josh Freeman also had base knocks.
Patten competed well in the loss. The senior right-hander was charged five earned runs of the nine allowed. He had three crucial strikeouts and walked three. Classmate
Casey Morrow would get the final two outs.
DCC concludes the year at 17-39. The Tigers improved to 14-23 and will play the No. 8 Seed Baptist Bible in another elimination game. The Patriots edged No. 6 Ecclesia College, 6-5, in the other morning contest.
Darius Gaston earned the win with six innings pitched. He worked around seven hits, two walks, and allowed the four runs. In addition to four punch outs, Gaston spun eight grounders that led to three double plays.
"Dallas Christian educates and mentors students to be people of influence engaging in their calling to the work of Christ in the church and in the world."
