SAN ANTONIO – The #9 Trinity University baseball team finished off its three-game series with Tufts University (MA) with a 10-2 defeat on Monday night.

The Tigers (8-7) lost the last two games of the series with the Jumbos (7-1), following Saturday afternoon's 6-5 win to open the matchup. Tufts broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh to take the lead for good, scoring eight runs over the final three frames to pull away for the win and clinch the series. Trinity was also limited to just five hits in the game and committed four errors to account for a pair of unearned runs.

Tufts opened the game with two runs in the top of the first and the Tigers had two errors in the inning. Trinity was also held hitless over the first four innings of the game and had just one baserunner during that time – which was erased on a double play. Three of Trinity's hits came consecutively with two outs in the fifth inning, beginning with a double from Michael Lustina (Austin, Texas / Westlake). Khalfani Coney (Los Angeles, Calif. / Crossroads School) followed with a triple to break up the shutout, then Nicholas Jones (Southlake, Texas / Carroll) laced a single to center to tie the game at 2-2.
Trinity had a golden opportunity to take its first lead in the bottom of the sixth, but stranded the bases loaded. The Jumbos took advantage of the missed opportunity and opened the seventh inning with back-to-back singles, followed by an error on a sac bunt that brought in the go-ahead run. A triple followed the error to bring in two more runs and Tufts wound up leading 6-2 by the end of the inning.
Trinity was retired in order in the seventh and Tufts came back with an insurance run in the eighth to make it 7-2. David Montalbano (Missouri City, Texas / Ridge Point) picked up his first career hit to open the Tiger eighth, then John Ramsey (Austin, Texas / Westwood) accounted for Trinity's final hit to put two on with two outs, but Trinity was unable to bring anymore runs in. The Jumbos made sure there was no room for a comeback by adding three more runs in the ninth to take a 10-2 lead with just three outs remaining. The Tigers went down in order in the ninth and Tufts took the win.

Matthew Azordegan (Madison, Miss. / St. Andrew's Episcopal) started the game for the Tigers and fell to 0-1 this season, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit over 3.2 innings. He struck out five batters, but also issued five walks and recorded three wild pitches. Brandon Morio (Austin, Texas / McNeil) tied for the team lead with five strikeouts, giving up two runs on two hits over 2.1 innings of relief.

Up Next
Trinity will host Texas Lutheran University in the regular season finale between the two teams tomorrow night, beginning at 6:00 p.m.