A four-run eighth inning by the University of Texas-Dallas upended a Wabash come-back effort Wednesday afternoon. The Little Giants lost 10-8 despite home runs by John Pennington and John Holm in the final three innings.
Pennington (right) tied the game at 6-6 with his first career home run with a solo shot to lead off the seventh inning. The Little Giants took the lead when Tanner Coggins singled following Pennington and came around to score on a double-play ground out. Wabash was unable to hold the lead, surrendering four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. For photos of the game, click here.
Holm blasted his first home run of the season in the top of the ninth to draw the Little Giants to within two runs. Chris Deig followed with a single to bring the tying run to the plate with two outs, but Wabash was unable to capitalize.
Coggins and Holm each finished with three hits, with Coggins extending his hitting streak to six games. David Seibel had two of the Little Giants' seven RBI. Keegan Leckrone pitched 5-2/3 innings as the Wabash starters, but did not get a decision. He struck out seven while allowing nine hits and six earned runs. Andrew Swart took the loss in relief, pitching two innings with two strikeouts, two walks, and two earned runs out four total runs. Craig Austin pitched the final 1/3 of an inning for the Little Giants, giving up one hit in two batters faced.
Wabash (1-5) plays two games at the University of Dallas on Thursday. The Little Giants open with a nine-inning contest against Eureka at 9 a.m. (CST) before playing the host Crusader team in another nine-inning game.