Opening Weekend for the Crusaders
Baseball season returns to the University of Dallas! The Crusaders return after an 8-27 2025 season and look to turn things around with a hot start to the new season! In their season opener, the Crusaders went on the road and faced off against the Eagles of Asbury University. Pitching in the season opener for the Crusaders was Liam Mosley. Mosley, the sophomore from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, went 3-3 in his freshman season. In those games, Mosley allowed 75 hits, 60 runs and recorded 37 strikeouts against opposing batters. In the season opener, Mosley pitched five innings, allowing 7 hits, 5 runs and recorded 4 strikeouts.
In substitution for Mosley was senior Landon Phillips. Phillips, from Crandall, Texas is a seasoned veteran for the Crusaders. In 2024, he recorded his best season, sporting a 4.24 ERA, having a record of 1-1, allowing 24 hits, 16 runs and 11 strikeouts. Mosley stepped in late for the Crusaders, and against the Eagles, Mosley allowed 2 hits with 2 runs, recorded 0 strikeouts, and ultimately the Crusaders lost with a final score of 8-5.
The Crusaders offense began the first three innings efficiently, scoring one run in the top of the first when sophomore infielder Caleb Mize recorded an RBI single, giving the Crusaders an early 1-0 lead. In the second inning, the Crusaders recorded another three hits, coming off the bats of second baseman sophomore Dyland Goddard, the sophomore designated hitter Cody Jenkins, and junior right fielder Luke Gill. The Crusaders took a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the second. The Eagles responded fast as their second baseman, junior Avery Hare, recorded a two-run homer to cut the deficit down to two runs. The Crusaders responded back in the top of the third as Jenkins recorded another RBI double, bringing in two runners to give the Crusaders a 5-2 lead. Dallas entered the bottom of the third with momentum. The Eagles responded, recording another RBI single, cutting the Crusaders lead down to two runs once again.
The fourth and fifth innings remained stagnant, with neither team recording a run, and the Crusaders maintaining a 5-3 lead. In the top of the sixth, the Crusaders offense truly disappeared, but they still held onto a two run lead going into the bottom of the sixth. With just two chances left, the Eagles offense ignited. In the bottom of the sixth, the Eagles recorded five runs off Dallas. The damage was self-inflicted for the Crusaders, which included a difficult end for Mosley and his outing. Mosley caused an error which allowed a runner to reach first, as well as allowing multiple hits which gave the Eagles a bases loaded situation, forcing Head Coach Erik Grafton to make a change at pitcher. Phillips was sent into the game in a difficult situation, with no outs and bases loaded. By the end of the inning, the Crusaders gave up a total of five runs, flipping the score in Eagles favor 8-5.
The Eagles gave up one hit and two walks in the top of the seventh, giving the Crusaders a chance with only one out remaining. Up to bat for the Crusaders once again was Jenkins with bases loaded. Jenkins hit a fly out to center field and the Crusaders began the 2026 season on a loss.
The second game in the double hitter shared similar results to game one. Both teams started out scoreless through two innings, Though credit should be given to sophomore starting pitcher Tito Ramos, who gave the Crusaders an early boost of momentum. In the third the Crusaders struck first, off the bats of junior outfielders Walker Alsobrooks and Luke Gill. They were able to give the Crusaders an early 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third. The Eagles responded in the third to cut the lead down to one. Slowly throughout the game, momentum shifted to the Eagles, who took the lead late in the fourth inning. It came down to the wire as the Crusaders tied the game up, with Gill bringing in two more runners. The Crusaders fought hard through extra innings, but came up short in the bottom of the ninth as Asbury freshman outfielder Edison Burke was walked, forcing a runner home and the Eagles won 9-8, and the Crusaders fell to 0-2.
The following day, during the third game between the Eagles and Crusaders, Asbury’s offense got to work quickly, scoring three runs against junior right handed pitcher Arthur Ruff. Throughout just this game alone, the Crusaders utilized six different pitchers including Ruff. Those five other pitchers consisted of freshman Jake Lancaster, junior Lucas Aguirre, senior Chase Corbett, freshman Glen Barney and junior Nicolas Richardson. Combined the six pitchers gave up 16 runs, allowing the Eagles to breeze by the Crusaders with a final score of 16-5.
The Crusaders went down early in the bottom of the first, giving up three runs to the Eagles, but they were determined to fight back. In the top of the second, the Crusaders fought back scoring four runs to take a 4-3 lead. The Crusaders seemed determined to capture their first win of the season, but alas, the Crusaders gave up 11 runs between the second and fourth inning. In the top of the fifth, junior Andrew Israel scored to give the Crusaders their final run of the outing. Unfortunately it was too late, as the Crusaders fell to 0-3 to start the season.
The Crusaders have dug themselves into a hole early, especially since the competition will get more difficult as the season progresses. Especially since their first two series of the season are on the road, the Crusaders will not appear in a home game until the weekend of Feb. 21-22,. where they will face the Austin College Kangaroos. For this season to see an immediate turnaround, the Crusaders will need to stay consistent on offense, but more importantly, the defense needs significant improvements.
The starting pitching rotation must focus on limiting early errors and being able to limit opposing batters early on. The Crusaders have proven that they have the offensive capability to compete, but it is difficult to score 16 runs. The overall team will need to see improvement defensively, and perhaps Coach Grafton will need to make changes to the starting lineup. If the Crusaders can build momentum off their first home series, then their trajectory for the season can completely change. The Crusaders have an opportunity to dig themselves out of an early hole, but the pieces will need to start coming together quickly. The Crusaders’ pursuit for the playoffs starts now, and fans are excited to see how this season plays out!