ALPINE, Texas - A stellar pitching performance lifted the Crusaders to a 6-1 game three victory over Sul Ross State University Saturday afternoon in Alpine. The victory gives the Cru a 21-16 overall record and improves their conference record to 14-13. The Lobos drop to 13-20 on the year and 10-17 in the ASC. With this victory, the Crusaders clinched their spot in the American Southwest Conference tournament for the second consecutive year.
 
The contest was scoreless until the top of the fourth inning when Malek Bolin scored on a fielder's choice hit by Staton Dudley. Later that inning, Hunter Jones scored on a fielding error by the Sul Ross shortstop and Sam Muniga was issued a walk that scored Drake Herrera. The Cru added to their 3-0 lead in the next inning from a wild pitch that scored Bolin and an RBI sacrifice flyout by Hunter Jones to make it 5-0. Sul Ross answered back in the same frame with one run of their own as Carsen Thor scored on a passed ball. UMHB added on an insurance run in the top of the seventh frame on an RBI single by Bolin. This RBI gave Malek Bolin the UMHB record for runs batted in during a single season with 48. The Crusaders would hold the 6-1 lead the rest of the way.
 
Rahul Champaneri started on the mound for UMHB and had a career day. Champaneri retired the first 15 batters he faced before giving up a walk. Later in his outing, he would strike out seven consecutive Lobo hitters. Champaneri was two outs away from throwing a no-hitter before Tristan Karels hit a single up the middle. Champaneri's final line was 8.1 innings, one unearned run on one hit, and eleven strikeouts on 107 pitches. Champaneri's season record is now 2-5. Andrew Acierni came in relief and got the final two outs to secure the win. Logan Hersom started for Sul Ross and threw two shutout innings, allowing just one hit before Isaac Gallego came in relief. Gallego threw three innings, gave up five runs on two hits, and took the loss (1-2). Ian Craigie threw the final four innings in relief and allowed just one run one two hits.
 
UMHB returns to action on Friday, April 29 at 6 P.M. in Belton, against Howard Payne in their final regular season series.