Posted: May 08, 2021
CLEBURNE, Texas -- Southwestern improved to 17-1 all-time in SCAC postseason action after outlasting Centenary, 12-9, in Saturday’s first elimination game of the 2021 SCAC Baseball Tournament. Official Website l Tournament Stats l Postgame Interview w/ Southwestern Head Coach JC Bunch | Postgame Interview w/ Southwestern Senior Bryce Debbs | Photo Gallery
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Southwestern jumped out to a 4-0 lead, scoring three runs in the top half of the first and one in the second.
- Centenary responded with a pair of runs in the home half of the second and third inning to tie the game a 4-4 through the first three frames.
- Southwestern took the lead for good in the fourth, scoring four runs and then extended its lead to 10-4 after adding a run in the fifth and the seventh. Centenary rallied in the seventh with four runs of its own to pull back within two at 10-8, but that would be as close as the Gents got late as the Pirates smashed a two-run hone run in the top of the eighth to go back on top by four, 12-8.
- Centenary scratch one more run across in the bottom of the eighth but after scoring, Southwestern did not allow another hit to close the door and hang on to the 12-9 victory.
- Southwestern was led at the plate by senior DH Bryce Debbs. Debbs went 4-for-5 with three RBI, two runs scored, two doubles and a home run. Jacob Tanner was outstanding as well, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and one run scored. Preston Witt smashed the key two-run HR late in the contest and finished the night 2-for-5 with two runs scored, two RBI and the home run.
- Preston Ludwick went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Gents with one run scored, one RBI and a home run. Chris Haggard was also productive at the dish, going 2-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI.
- Travis Harvey was credited with his fourth win of the season after six strong innings and five strikeouts for Southwestern and Trey Schwarz collected his fourth save of the season with a three-inning effort, allowing just one run.
SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Bryce Debbs: 4-5, 3 RBI, 2 runs, 1 HR, 1 2B
- Jacob Tanner: 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 run
- Preston Witt: 2-5, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1 HR
- Landon Durdin: 2-5, 1 RBI, 1 run
- Travis Harvey (WP): 6.0 IP, 9 hits, 5 strikeouts
- Trey Schwarz (S): 3.0 IP, 2 hits, 1 run
CENTENARY COLLEGE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Preston Ludwick: 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 HR
- Chris Haggard: 2-4, 3 runs, 1 RBI, 1 2B
- Tyler Welch: 2-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 2 2B
- Ben Bridges: 2-5, 3 RBI, 1 2B
- Parker Primeaux: 5.2 IP, 5 strikeouts, 7 hits, 4 runs
NOTABLES
- The victory puts Southwestern into Saturday night’s game 5 finale for the sixth-straight tournament. The Pirates are 1-4 in their previous their previous appearances in those elimination games. The lone win came back in the 2016 tournament.
- Southwestern and Centenary have played in each of the last seven tournaments with the series now tied at four games apiece following tonight’s win by the Pirates.
- Through the first four games of the 2021 SCAC Baseball Tournament the teams have combined to score 71 runs, the most since scoring 73 runs through the opening four games of the 2007 tournament.
- Centenary has now lost five-straight SCAC Tournament games dating back to the 2018 Championship series.
- Southwestern is looking to be the 12th different team to lose its opening contest and get into the championship round. The Pirates have twice accomplished the feat most recently in 2016 and also in 2004.
UP NEXT
Southwestern (19-18) advances to take on Trinity in another elimination game immediately to follow Saturday night with first pitch scheduled for 8:55 p.m. CT. Centenary will await a chance at an NCAA bid after closing out the regular season with an overall mark of 30-11.
