HOUSTON _ The Houston Baptist Huskies made the most of their first matchup with the University of Central Bears on Friday, sweeping a Southland Conference doubleheader 10-1 and 9-2 at Husky Field. The teams played twice Friday due to expected rain on Saturday.
The Huskies (11-11, 3-2) dominated offensively and on the mound, pounding out 29 hits and holding UCA to just 12 hits and three runs over 18 innings. The Bears, who entered the day in first place in the SLC with a 6-0 record, also contributed five errors, four in the opener.
The Bears (11-6) were never in either game as the Huskies jumped out to a 5-0 lead through three innings in the first game, and an 8-0 advantage by the fifth inning of the nightcap. HBU starter Taylor Wright was nearly unhittable in the first game, allowing five hits and one run, striking out nine and walking two. UCA's first-game highlight was a solo home run by junior right fielder Braxton Phillips, his first of the season, in the sixth inning.
UCA managed seven hits off HBU starter Matthew McCollough and reliever Dylan Zarosky in the second game, but turned them into just two runs. Both of those came on the first career home run by junior transfer first baseman Hayden Steele in the seventh inning.
UCA starter Brandon Hagerla went six innings in Game 1, allowing a season-high 12 hits and five earned runs before being relieved by Corey Herndon and Ty Tice, both making their UCA debuts on the mound. Hagerla (3-1) lost for the first time this season. Phillips had two of UCA's five hits.
Sophomore Riley Echols (2-1), this week's SLC Pitcher of the Week, lasted just 3 2/3 innings in Game 2, allowing just three hits but five earned runs, walking four and striking out three. UCA also used Chris Durham and Chris Caudle for the first time, as well as senior Josh Markel in relief.
Junior first baseman Matt Anderson finished 3 for 4 to remain atop the SLC in hitting with a .457 average.
UCA junior right hander Connor Gilmore missed his normal Friday start because of a death in the family but is expected back for the series finale. Rain the Houston area on Saturday has pushed the final game back to 2 p.m. Sunday at Husky Field.
