#7 Tiger Baseball will have their road trip take them to the Metroplex to clash with the University of Dallas in a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference series this weekend.
 
The Tigers (19-5, 14-1 SCAC) are fresh off a SCAC series sweep of the University of the Ozarks Eagles last weekend. Nicholas Lazzara (Carrollton, Texas / Jesuit College Prep) scorched the Eagles pitching, hitting .636 (7-11) with five RBI and four walks in the series. Brandon Morio (Austin, Texas / McNeil) collected a Win in his first career start, pitching six one-run innings with five strikeouts to help the Tigers win game two. Jace Clay (Missouri City, Texas / Strake Jesuit) shocked and awed the Eagles batting order in his relief appearance in game three, throwing three shutout innings to help break out the brooms and sweep the series.
 
In The Polls
 
The Tigers maintain their top 10 status, checking in at #7 in the most recent ACBA coaches poll and #9 in the D3baseball.com/NCBWA Poll. Wisconsin-Whitewater still holds the top spot in both polls. Conference foe Concordia Texas is ranked #18/#25 in each poll respectively, and McMurry is receiving votes in both polls.
 
Preview - Metroplex Mayhem
 
Trinity Baseball continues its road stint with a SCAC series against Dallas starting with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 29th with game one starting at noon, and game two scheduled for 3:00 PM. Game three will conclude the series on Sunday, March 30th at noon.
 
On The University Of Dallas Crusaders: The Crusaders have been meandering this season, holding a record of 5-16 (5-13) up to this point in the season. They have only won one series in SCAC play, but have shown the ability to win games against teams at the top of the conference. Dallas was dealt a brutal series loss at Schreiner last weekend, losing on a walk-off in ten innings after going into the bottom of the ninth with a five run lead, and the bottom of the tenth with a three run lead. Senior first baseman Caleb Hohman poses the greatest challenge for the Tiger pitching staff. He's batting .301 with a team leading six home runs and 27 RBI on the season thus far. Freshman pitcher Tito Ramos has been a bright spot in a struggling pitching staff, posting an ERA of 4.15 over his 26 innings pitched. Trinity won the SCAC series against the Crusaders last year and holds a 52-6 against Dallas historically.
 
Key To The Series
 
Stay Patient: The Crusader pitching staff has had issues walking batters all season, which is shown by the fact they have issued more free passes to first base than they have struck out batters. Look for the Tigers, who lead the nation in drawing walks, to take plenty of strolls to first base and cause damage on the basepaths.
 
Homeward Bound
 
The Tigers will return home for a SCAC series against Schreiner from April 4th to April 6th. They will stay home for another SCAC series against Centenary (LA) from April 11th to April 12th.