BASEBALL: Errors haunt Trinity again as close one gets away vs. Gatewood

The Trinity Crusaders had a slight lead over Gatewood after four innings on Friday, but couldn’t hold on as they fell to the Gators 7-1.

The game was a classic pitchers’ duel early between Crusader starter Carter Lee and Gatewood ace Walker Roberts.

Trinity failed to take advantage of some early chances as it got a runner in scoring position in the first and a leadoff double in the second, but couldn’t capitalize.

The Crusaders finally got on the board in the third.  Asher Evans led off the frame with a hit and Braden Underwood drove him home with a single a few batters later. Unfortunately, Underwood was gunned down trying to advance to second to stall the rally again.

Lee was on cruise control early on as he carried a no-hitter into the fifth.  

Gatewood finally got to him in the fifth with a pair of one-out singles. Following the second out, a hit to right would score the first run. The ball got by the outfielder, allowing the second run to score from first and make it 2-1.  

An error on a pickoff attempt at second allowed a third run to come home and make it 3-1.

That score would hold until the seventh when the Gators would break the game open.  A walk and three straight singles made the score 4-1. A sac fly would push the score to 5-1 and a wild pitch would make it 6-1.  

Roberts then helped his own cause with an RBI double to make the score 7-1, and that would be the final.

Underwood, Evans and Tripp Mascaro had the only three hits for Trinity in the game, and they only had one baserunner after the third inning.

Lee went five innings, allowed just three hits and one earned run.  He walked one and struck out three.

Roberts was dominant for the Gators with a complete-game effort.  He allowed three hits and one run, while striking out 10 and walking no one.

Trinity returns home Tuesday to take on Windsor Academy.