WAXAHACHIE, Texas — Sterling faced a tough doubleheader against Nelson on Thursday, Jan. 22, suffering defeats in both games, with scores of 12-7 and 12-5. In the first game, Nelson capitalized on a seven-run third inning to secure their victory, while in the second game, a decisive seven-run fifth inning by the Lions proved to be the turning point.
In the opener, Sterling’s Jackson Harding contributed with two RBIs, but Nelson’s six doubles were crucial to the outcome. The game began with the Lions taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a double by Drew Ortiz and a wild pitch. Sterling responded in the second, tying the game at 2-2 with runs from Joshua Garcia and Nehemiah House, taking advantage of errors by the Nelson defense.
Nelson then seized control in the third inning, scoring seven runs to push their lead to 9-3. Sterling managed to add a run in the third as Garcia scored on a balk, trimming the deficit. In the fifth inning, Chuck Lang‘s strategic play brought the Warriors closer, making it a 12-5 game after scoring on a fielder’s choice. Although Sterling continued to chip away in the sixth and seventh innings, adding two more runs, the gap proved too wide to close, and they finished with seven runs on nine hits, while Nelson tallied 12 runs on 11 hits.
Sterling’s pitching staff faced challenges, with Tyreek Sherman allowing six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings, Jace Phillips surrendering three earned runs in 0 1/3 innings, Eric Villa allowing one earned run in 2 innings, and Peyton Fletcher closing with 1 1/3 innings without allowing runs. Garcia had a standout performance, scoring three runs and reaching base twice. Ezavien Campos recorded three hits and an RBI, while House scored two runs and drove in another.
In the second game, the Warriors initially took the lead thanks to early defensive errors by Nelson. Matthew Garcia scored on a third-base error, and Chuck Lang reached on a second-base error to make it 2-0. Sterling added to their lead in the third inning when M. Garcia and Lang’s hits drove in runs, pushing the score to 4-1. Campos’ sacrifice fly in the fifth extended their lead to 5-4, but Nelson exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the inning, including a two-run homer by Ethan Starks.
Sterling managed to score just once more, finishing the second game with five runs on seven hits, while Nelson amassed 16 hits. Jackson Califono pitched three innings, allowing four earned runs, while Landon Snyder and Cooper Lovelace struggled, yielding five and three earned runs, respectively. Aaron Elsasser provided a strong relief appearance without allowing any hits. Lang led the batters with two hits and an RBI, while M. Garcia scored twice and Campos contributed two RBIs.
Up next, the Warriors (0-2) will travel to Oklahoma City, Okla. to take on the Oklahoma City University Stars (0-2) on Friday, Jan. 30.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
