Fort Worth, TX | March 20, 2026 – The No. 25 Nelson University Lions stepped into a heated cross-town Sooner Athletic Conference showdown Friday afternoon at Sycamore Park, squaring off against Texas Wesleyan in a doubleheader. Despite flashes of offensive firepower and competitive stretches, the Lions dropped both contests as the Rams capitalized on timely hitting and late-inning surges.

Game 1 
Nelson came out swinging in the opener, showing confidence at the plate and composure early. The Lions struck first and stayed within striking distance through the middle innings, highlighted by a strong day from Joshua Pinter, who launched a home run and finished with two hits and an RBI.

Mitchell Baker added production in key moments with two RBIs, while Ethan Starks and Drew Ortiz each contributed multi-hit energy that kept pressure on the Rams' defense. Through five innings, Nelson remained firmly in the fight, trailing just 3–1 and building momentum.

However, the game shifted dramatically in the sixth inning. Texas Wesleyan erupted for five runs, breaking the game open and seizing full control. Despite outhitting opportunities and tallying nine hits on the day, the Lions could not recover from the late surge, falling 8–4. 

Game 2 
In game two, Nelson found an early spark behind Drew Ortiz, who delivered a home run and drove in a run, continuing his standout offensive presence across the doubleheader. Ethan Starks stayed hot at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with an RBI, while the Lions scratched across runs in the second and fourth innings to keep things competitive.

On the mound, Nelson cycled through arms in an effort to contain the Rams' lineup, but Texas Wesleyan capitalized on free passes and timely hitting. A decisive fifth inning by the Rams created separation, and the Lions were unable to regain momentum.

Nelson was limited to just four hits in the contest, while Texas Wesleyan's balanced offensive attack and patience at the plate proved the difference in a 9–2 final. 

Next Up
The Lions will look to bounce back and crack the series: Mar 21 (Sat) | 12:00 PM at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, TX.

Nelson University (formerly SA GU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.