Baseball winning streak ends against SAGU

The Wiley University baseball team struggled in the seventh inning and ended their winning streak at 11 with a 10-4 loss against Southwestern Assemblies of God University Tuesday at Airport Park.

It's the Wildcats' first loss since March 5 and first home loss since February 24, which snapped a nine-game home winning streak.

Both pitchers controlled the game as neither team scored in the first four innings. Southwestern Assemblies of God struck first in the fifth inning. The first two batters were hit but were put out. Catcher Anthony Castaneda threw a runner out at third on a bunt attempt and threw out a runner attempting to steal second. An error extended the inning and the next batter doubled to give the Lions the lead.

The Wildcats (14-14, 9-0 GCAC) answered. Ivan Del Villar led off and hit a double to the right field fence. He tried for a triple but was thrown out at third. Castaneda followed with a double down the right-field line. Amir Mason gave the Wildcats the lead hitting his first career home run over the right-field wall, scoring Ajari Camp who courtesy ran for Castaneda. 

A pair of errors in the first allowed SAGU's leadoff runner to reach. He scored on a ground ball to tie the game. Wiley wasn't able to respond as all three batters struck out.

Josiah Jackson held the Lions to two unearned runs on four hits and struck out two batters in six innings. He was relieved by Jalen Porter after the leadoff batter reached. Wiley's pitchers struggled to find the strike zone as two hit batters and three walks led to four runs for Southwestern Assemblies of God. It took four pitchers to finish the seventh. The Lions put up seven runs before the third out was recorded on a caught stealing.

Wiley added two runs in the seventh. Albert Thurston II, who came in as a defensive replacement was hit by a pitch. Castaneda got his second hit with a single to right. A passed ball moved the runners into scoring position. Kai Woodard brought Thurston and Camp home.

The Wildcats resume Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play at Oakwood University. The series begins with a doubleheader at 3 p.m. Thursday. The finale will start at 1 p.m. Friday.

For more coverage on the Wildcats visit Baseball - Wiley University (wileyathletics.com)

#FeartheClaws #LevelUp #EarnHistory

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS

Twitter: @WileyAthletics

Facebook: /WileyAthletics

Instagram: @wileyuniversityathletics

YouTube: /c/Wiley Wildcats