Austin, Texas - The Tiger baseball team gave up just one hit in a 9-0 win over Howard Payne University on Friday afternoon, opening play at the Rudy's BBQ Tornado Classic.

Trinity improved to 3-0 with the win, which was highlighted by an outstanding pitching performance from Josh Fink.

Fink (1-0) threw eight shutout innings in the game, allowing just one hit and one walk, and striking out nine batters.  He had a no-hitter going through seven complete innings, but allowed a leadoff single in the eighth. 

Fink actually was actually working on a perfect game through the first five complete innings, retiring the first 17 batters in a row.  After allowing a two-out walk and an error put two runners on in the sixth, Fink induced an inning-ending ground ball to escape.

Both teams were held scoreless over the first six innings of play, but Trinity took command of the game with a six-run seventh inning.  The Tigers were held to four hits through the first six innings, but hammered out five runs in the seventh, sending 10 men to the plate.

Kevin Clements went 2-3 with one RBI and one run scored, while Nick Pappas and Jonathan Hall both went 2-4 for Trinity.  Christian Muscarello also had two hits, while Kevin Francke scored two runs and drew two walks to reach base all three times he came to the plate.  Pat Hirschberg drove in two runs in the seventh inning to lead the team.

In the ninth, Franklin Bay came on in relief of Fink, retiring the side in order to finish off the shutout win.

Trinity will play Louisiana College at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow, then will square off with hosting Concordia (TX) University at 7:00 p.m.