Action Cam: Masterful Pitching Win

SAGU BaseballLions pitcher leads SAGU to big win

SAGU hosts doubleheader on Saturday at noon 

WAXAHACHIE, Texas  --  Senior lefthander Cameron Ward (Mansfield, Tx / Grace Prep) took on the best hitting attack in the Red River Athletic Conference on Friday night and was sensational. He scattered eight hits and yielded just five earned runs to Wiley College to lead Southwestern Assemblies of God University to a 9-6 win that ended a long-skid against the power-hitting conference.

Wiley, the fifth place team entering the Friday night game, swing a collective .355 batting average. Ward was in control throughout the evening. Behind a masterful mix of off-speed and breaking pitches, he kept the Wildcats at bay for most of his eight innings on the mound. Ward was unflappable, escaping three jams by striking out the final batter.

SAGU broke an early 3-3 tie with a huge 6-run second inning and made it stand for the team's second win in three games this week. Ward blanked the Wildcats for the next four innings, putting Southwestern in great position for the win. With the victory, Ward's record improved to 2-1.

The Wildcats threatened late, using a misplayed fly ball to centerfield and a botched pop-up in the field to rally. They loaded the bases in the eighth after drawing to within 9-6. Head Coach Greg Hayes called on angular lefty, Nic Morgan (Ft. Worth, Tx / Boswell HS) to put out the fire. The sophomore rained on the Wildcats parade by getting the only batter he faced to fly out to rightfielder Patrick Wherland (Petrolia, Tx / Petrolia HS) to end the inning.

Ships ahoy! Blackbeard is sighted!

Tim Kolczak (San Antonio, Tx / Taft HS) got the save, his second this week and fourth this season, by breezing through the ninth inning. With the dugout and fans cheering, he got the first out on a liner to Weston Lippe (Huntsville, Tx / Alpha-Omega HS) at second base. Then he coaxed a ground ball to shortstop Jared Jones (Copperas Cove, Tx / Copperas Cove HS), who gunned the runner out at first. Finally, the bearded wonder (Kolczak) got the final out on a strike out (swinging). Nine-hit attack ignites offense

The Lions' six-run inning was keyed by a 2-run single to leftfield by Lippe and a run-producing flair just over the shortstop's head in shallow left by David Gomez (Del Rio, Tx / Bowie HS).

Leadoff hitter Dustin Jett (Patterson, La / Patterson HS) set the tempo with two stolen bases that led to two runs. Wherland had two base hits and a run batted in. Ward helped his own cause with an RBI single, as did first-bagger Jared Denton (Mission, Tx / Sharyland HS). Dominic Denney (Albuquerque, NM / LaCueva HS) drove in a run as well, continuing what is becoming a very solid season for the junior catcher.

Saturday Doubleheader begins at Noon

The Purple Pride will host a doubleheader with Wiley on Saturday at the Waxahachie Sports Complex. The first game, which begins at midday, will have righthander Chris Stanley (Harker Heights, Tx / Ellison HS) on the mound. SAGU will send Morgan to the hill for the nightcap. Saturday's weather forecast is for temps in the low 70's with a partly-cloudy sky.

The WSC is located on Broadhead Street, just north of Highway 287, and across the street from the Show Biz Theatres. Admission is free. Concessions are available and there are restrooms and shaded seating. The public is welcome.

SAGU has another home game on Tuesday when they welcome Howard Payne University. The Yellowjackets (NCAA Division III) are currently 3-8.

A full report on Saturday's games and a weekend review will be posted, along with photos, on Saturday night.