Above photo by Russell Marwitz/True To The Cru
Each Monday, we take a look back on the way the week unfolded for several UMHB teams, as the spring sports get underway. So here is a quick look at how each team in action this week fared. Combined, the Cru was 9-7 on the week.
Cru softball extends win streak to 10 games
BELTON-A series sweep at home kept the Crusaders’ winning streak intact, extended to 10 games on Saturday afternoon. In the series finale, head coach Melissa Mojica’s team edged the visiting Eagles, 3-2, as starting pitcher Bayleigh Grogan moved to 5-0 on the season. Grogan relieved Grayson Long in the fourth, and allowed just one hit over the game’s final 3.1 innings. Tyeann Johnson scored the go-ahead run for the Cru, stealing home with two outs in the fourth.
In the series opener, Grogan fired a complete game shutout, striking out 7, as UMHB won 1-0, winning in the bottom of the seventh on Bailey Wagner’s walk-off sacrifice fly that scored Kendall Tramel from third base.
The Cru took a 5-2 victory in game two, led by Lexi Harris and Milly Cesare, who each had three hits.
UMHB is 12-3 and hosts Case Western Reserve in a doubleheader on Tuesday in Belton. Game one’s first pitch is set for 3 p.m. CT.
UMHB baseball run rules Ozarks in series finale
CLARKSVILLE, Ark.-After falling in both games of Friday’s doubleheader 471 miles from Belton, the UMHB baseball team rebounded to run-rule Ozarks, 16-6, after eight innings on Saturday afternoon. Batting in the ninth spot, Drake Herrera swatted two home runs for the Cru, recording three RBI, and UMHB also took advantage of four errors against Ozarks. Right fielder Staton Dudley also posted a 4-for-5 day at the plate, helping the Crusaders score eight more runs than they had in any prior game this season.
In Friday’s doubleheader against the Eagles, the Cru fell by scores of 11-2, and 6-5, though UMHB nearly mounted a comeback in game two. After taking a 3-0 lead by the third inning, Ozarks countered with the next five runs, and UMHB trailed 5-3 as the ninth began. But Caimyn Holiday and Malek Bolin each sent home runs over the outfield wall, tying the score. In the bottom of the frame, however, Ozarks’ Dru Didway doubled with one out, scoring the game-winning run from second base.
UMHB, 5-6 overall, hosts Austin College in a three-game series from Feb. 11-12.
UMHB beach volleyball splits two matches, looks ahead to home opener
NACOGDOCHES- The UMHB beach volleyball team continued its inaugural season on Wednesday, splitting two matches, moving to 2-4 on the year.
The Crusaders swept Cedar Valley College, 5-0, as four of the five doubles teams won their respective matches in just two sets. It was a key victory, especially since UMHB entered the match having been swept 5-0 in its last three duels. Head coach Mark Pryor’s team closed out the road trip by facing Stephen F. Austin for the second time. On its home court, SFA won 5-0.
UMHB travels to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Wednesday, before hosting the UMHBeach Tournament March 11-12. The Cru will face Cedar Valley College to open the day at 12 p.m., before taking on Ottawa University and Ottawa University JV later in the day. UMHB closes the weekend with a 12 p.m. match against Hendrix College.
UMHB men’s and women’s tennis challenged on road
On the road and playing on consecutive days, UMHB men’s and women’s tennis teams gave both Texas Wesleyan and St. Thomas (TX) a tremendous fight, but were unable to come out on the winning side.
The men were swept by Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth on Friday, 9-0, but came back the following day and nearly claimed the team’s second win of the year, falling 5-4 to St. Thomas. UMHB’s Diego Martinez and Brylee White combined for a dominant 8-2 victory in doubles play, but the Cru was unable to come up with additional success in doubles action to claim the victory. Martinez, Robert Galligan and Andre Maltzahn did, however, earn wins in singles play, keeping the Cru in the fight.
The women’s team fell by scores of 7-2 and 6-3, respectively during the weekend. Victoria Rendon was the lone Crusader that won in singles play on both Friday and Saturday, and she helped UMHB claim its lone doubles victory of the weekend, teaming up with Brynn Harmsen for an 8-6 win on Saturday afternoon against St. Thomas.
UMHB men’s and women’s basketball advance to the Sweet 16
