'Roos Split with Hendrix to Close Out Season

CONWAY, Ark. - The Austin College baseball team split a doubleheader against Hendrix College on Saturday, winning the first game 8-6 before dropping a narrow 9-8 decision in the second contest. With the split, the 'Roos are eliminated from Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament contention and finish the year with an overall record to 17-19 and 14-14 in conference play. The 14 conference victories are a new program record for SCAC wins in a season.

In the opening game, the 'Roos built an early lead and held off a late push by Hendrix. Carlos Michinaux put Austin College on the board in the first inning with a two-run double. The 'Roos then broke the game open with a five-run second inning. Kaden Stegent brought in a run with a single, and Jayden Ayala-Hinojosa cleared the bases with a three-run double to extend the advantage. Michinaux immediately followed with his second run-scoring double of the day.

Blake Skipworth earned the victory for the 'Roos, striking out three batters over six innings of work. Cade Rabal pitched the final three innings to secure his second save of the season.

Hendrix attempted to rally late, led by Chase Harris, who finished the game with three hits. Austin Rabago contributed three runs batted in for Hendrix, highlighted by a two-run double in the third inning. Kyle Taylor took the loss for the home team.

The second game featured a high-scoring, back-and-forth battle. Austin College scored in the first inning when Caleb Staggs crossed the plate after Michinaux drew a walk with the bases loaded. The 'Roos added two more runs in the second inning on an RBI single by Stegent and an RBI double by Desmond Squalls.

Hendrix consistently answered back to build a lead. Giancarlo Digiacomo paced the Hendrix offense with three hits, including two doubles, and two runs batted in. Reed Ketcham also collected three hits and drove in a pair of runs, while Ryne Dodson homered in the seventh inning.

Trailing in the middle innings, Austin College scored three runs in the sixth to tie the game. Staggs brought in a run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Stegent followed by drawing a walk to bring in another run. Hendrix quickly responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to retake the lead for good.

The 'Roos mounted one final comeback attempt in the ninth inning. Austin College scored two runs, including a run-scoring groundout by Jaxyn Rogers, but the late rally fell just short. Ayala-Hinojosa took the loss for the 'Roos. Aiden Leggett earned the win for Hendrix, striking out six batters, and Braxton Waller picked up the save.