Seven-run fifth sparks Trinity win over Millsaps in baseball

Trailing 5-1 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, the Trinity University baseball team scored seven runs to go ahead and hold on for a 13-9 win over Millsaps College in the first game of the 2008 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament (SCAC), Friday, April 25 at Gary Wright Field in Danville, Ky.

After the Majors scored a run in the first to take an early lead, Trinity (30-12) designated hitter Kyle Felix evened the score at one apiece with a solo home run to right center.

Millsaps (26-17) answered with two runs in each of the third and fourth innings - all unearned runs - to go back in front 5-1, but quickly saw that lead evaporate in in the bottom of the fifth.

Following three straight singles to opening the innings, a walk, a sacrifice fly and an errant pick-off attempts plated three runs to cut the lead to 5-4. Dominick Robusto then doubled down the left-field line to tie the game at five apiece.

Felix was then intentionally walked and Jeff Claydon earned a bunt single to load the bases once again. Kevin Calbick then cleared the bases with a double down the right-field line to give the Tigers an 8-5 lead.

Trinity added two more runs in the sixth to push the lead to 10-5, with the last run coming courtesy of a Evan Jones solo home run down the right field line, his seventh of the season.

The score remained 10-5 until the top of the eighth. Tait Hendrix led off the inning with a home run to make the score 10-6. Following a strikeout, Hunter Owen singled and Tony Malaschak hit a two-run home run to center field and the lead was cut to 10-8. The Majors tacked on another run in the inning and trailed by only one going into the bottom half of the inning.

Trinity answered with three runs in their half of the eighth with the help of two Millsaps errors and three walks and posted a zero on the scoreboard in the top of the ninth to finish with the 13-9 victory.

Evan Bronson earned the win for Trinity throwing 7.1 innings to up his record to 8-3 on the season. Bronson allowed eight runs - four earned - on 13 hits, while striking out nine and walking four. Travis Bogue suffered the loss the Millsaps going 4.1 innings and surrendering seven runs - all earned - on eight hits with five walks and six strikeouts. He falls to 8-4 on the year.

Nine Tigers had at least on hit in the game, including three-hit efforts by Claydon and Kevin Jackson. Calbick drove in three runs, while Felix and Stosh Hoover drove in two apiece.

Owen and Hendrix tallied four hits apiece for Millsaps, while Malaschak drove in three runs on two hits for the Majors.

The two teams will return to action Saturday, April 26. Trinity will play the winner of DePauw University and Southwestern University at noon, while Millsaps will play the loser of that game at 3:30 p.m. at Gary Wright Field in Danville, Ky.