Hunter Darst Hits Walk-off Base Hit to Give Lakers a 6-5 CCAC Conference Win Over Trinity Christian in 11 Innings

CRESTWOOD, Ill. – The Roosevelt University baseball team scored two runs in the bottom of the 11^th inning, including the game winning run on a walk-off base hit by Hunter Darst, to earn a 6-5 CCAC Conference victory over Trinity Christian College on Tuesday, March 22 at Ozinga Field.  The Lakers remain undefeated in conference play with a 2-0 record and are now 8-9 overall this season.

The Lakers scored one run in the bottom of the first inning when Trevor Heinlein doubled in Jojo Mack, who was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a balk.

Roosevelt held its 1-0 lead until the top of the sixth inning with the Trolls scoring two runs on two hits, a walk, and a hit batter to take a 2-1 lead.  However, the Lakers answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to regain the lead at 4-2.  Mack and Nick McAlister led off with back-to-back singles with both scoring on another Heinlein double.  Heinlein then moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly from Hunter Darst.

Trinity Christian came back once again in the eighth inning, tying the game at 4-4 on a two-run homer, sending the game to extra innings.  The Trolls then pushed across a solo run in the top of the 11^th to take a 5-4 lead and were in the driver's seat to win the game heading into the bottom half of the inning.

In the bottom of the 11^th, Jesus Gomez reached on a walk to lead off of for the Lakers and was advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Daniel Gutierrez.  With the Lakers down to their last out, McAlister earned a walk, Gomez moved up to third on a wild pitch, and Heinlein was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Jaylen Heard came to the plate and was also hit by a pitch, bringing in Gomez to tie the game at 5-5.  Two pitches later, Darst sent a looping line drive into center field for a base hit to score McAlister with the winning run.

GAME DETAILS

Score:   Trinity Christian     0  0  0  0  0  2  0  2  0  0  1          5     8   0
                Roosevelt                1  0  0  0  0  3  0  0  0  0  2          6   12   2

W: Noah Mathias (2-2)                   L: Adam Herron (0-1)

Records: Roosevelt 8-9, 2-0 (CCAC) | Trinity Christian 5-13, 1-4 (CCAC)

Location: Ozinga Field | Crestwood, Ill.

KEY STATS

• Hunter Darst went 2-for-5 with a double & two RBI, including the game winning run in the bottom of the 11^th
• Trevor Heinlein was 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBI, & a run scored
• Jojo Mack went 2-for-4 with two runs scored
• Nick McAlister was 2-for-5 with two runs scored
• Jaylen Heard went 1-for-4 with a run batted in
• Daniel Gutierrez stole two bases
• Kerry Zeese started on the mound, going 5 1/3 innings & allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts & three walks
• Noah Mathias picked up his second win of the year, pitching 2 2/3 innings in relief & giving up one run on two hits, while striking out three & walking two

NEWS & NOTES

• Trevor Heinlein now leads the team with seven doubles & 15 runs batted in this season
• The Lakers are now 13-15 versus the Trolls in the all-time series
• Roosevelt is the only team that remains undefeated in CCAC Conference play
• Click here to view the current CCAC Conference standings

NEXT UP

The Lakers continue CCAC Conference action on Friday, March 25 when they welcome Saint Xavier University to Ozinga Field for a single nine-inning game.  First pitch is scheduled for 5pm.