Tyler, Texas - The Trinity baseball team opened up its part in the NCAA Playoffs this afternoon against Linfield (OR) College, but with the Tigers holding a 4-0 lead after five innings, lightning and rain in the area postponed the game until Thursday morning.

Starting pitcher Ryan Gray threw five no-hit innings for the Tigers, striking out six Linfield batters, and allowing just three baserunners.  Gray, who came into the game with a 7-0 record and a team-low 1.81 ERA, will likely not be back on the mound when the game resumes tomorrow.  

Trinity opened the game with a bang, scoring four runs on four hits in the bottom of the first inning, keyed by a two-run double by Drew Butler.  Butler was 2-2 when the game was suspended, while leadoff hitter Connor Moore also had a pair of hits to start the game.

Linfield's best opportunity came in the fourth inning, as Eric Lawson reached third with just one out.  Gray responded with a pair of strikeouts to end the threat, and finished the day by retiring five consecutive batters.

The game will resume at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, and the regional tournament will continue with Millsaps College and Whitworth University - originally scheduled for 6:30 p.m. tonight.  The hosting University of Texas-Tyler lost to the University of La Verne 2-0 to start the day.  The remainder of the schedule will be dependent on tomorrow's results.  Check the tournament site for full details.