KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sterling went 2-1 in a series against Avila on Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7. The Warriors started game one securing a decisive 13-1 victory over Avila on Saturday, followed by a doubleheader split on Sunday winning the first game 15-7 and losing the second game 9-8.
Game 1
Matthew Garcia led the charge for Sterling with three doubles and two stolen bases, contributing to the team’s 14-hit performance.
Sterling took an early lead in the first inning when M. Garcia walked and then stole second base. Chuck Lang reached first on an error, allowing M. Garcia to score. Avila was unable to respond, leaving Sterling with a 1-0 lead at the end of the first.
In the second inning, Sterling’s offense surged with Imanol Ramos starting off with a single. Ezavien Campos followed with a double, bringing Ramos home. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas hit a two-run double, and Jackson Harding added an RBI single, pushing Sterling’s lead to 5-0 through two innings.
The fifth inning saw the Warriors extend its advantage. Jackson Harding singled and was replaced by pinch runner Grayson Mulready, who scored on Nehemiah House‘s double. A hit-by-pitch and errors allowed multiple runs to score, including an RBI single by M. Garcia. Sterling ended the inning with a commanding 10-1 lead.
The Warriors added two more runs in the sixth inning. House scored on a wild pitch, followed by an RBI single from Lang. This increased the lead to 12-1.
In the seventh inning, Harding hit a solo home run to further extend Sterling’s advantage. The inning concluded with Sterling maintaining a 13-1 lead.
Jace Phillips delivered a complete game performance, pitching 7 innings and allowing one earned run on six hits. He faced 28 batters, striking out three and walking only one. Phillips also showed control with 60 of his 87 pitches going for strikes and managed to pick off a runner during the game. His effort included inducing 11 flyouts and four groundouts, contributing to his efficient outing.
Matthew Garcia contributed significantly by scoring two runs and collecting three hits while driving in one run. Jackson Harding added power to the lineup with a home run, driving in two runs, and stealing a base. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas provided a boost with two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs.
Game 2
Sterling secured a decisive 15-7 victory over Avila in game two. Sterling amassed 20 hits, including two home runs, to overpower the Eagles.
M. Garcia got hit by a pitch to start the game, followed by a steal. Harding doubled to left field, bringing M. Garcia home for the first run. Sterling led 1-0 at the end of the first inning.
In the fourth inning, Ramos was hit by a pitch and later scored on a walk issued to Lang. Huerta Cardenas then hit a grand slam, scoring Lang, M. Garcia, and Jason Smith. Harding added to the tally with a solo home run. Sterling extended its lead to 7-1.
The fifth inning saw Sterling increase its lead further. Smith singled and scored on an error, and Harding hit a two-RBI single. House added another run with a single. A wild pitch allowed House to score, making it 12-1 in favor of Sterling.
Lang doubled in the sixth and advanced to third on a wild pitch, scoring on Harding’s groundout. Sterling led 13-1 through six innings.
The Eagles responded in the seventh with six runs, highlighted by a three-RBI double by Aaron Mcleod-Smith, reducing their deficit to 13-7.
In the eighth, Harding singled and scored on a groundout by House. J.Garcia, who had doubled, also scored on a groundout by Ramos. Sterling led 15-7.
Sterling’s pitching closed the game effectively, not allowing any runs in the final innings, securing a 15-7 victory over the Eagles.
Colin Clark pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out four batters. Clark faced a total of 33 batters, issuing five walks and hitting four with pitches. Cooper Lovelace contributed with 1/3 inning, giving up one hit, one walk, and recording one strikeout. Jackson Reed closed out the game with two innings of perfect relief, retiring all six batters he faced and striking out two.
Matthew Garcia crossed the plate three times and added a stolen base in the game. Chuck Lang delivered three runs and collected two hits, including a double, while also drawing three walks. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas contributed significantly with a home run, driving in four runs on his sole hit and scoring once. Jackson Harding had an impressive showing with five hits, including a double and a home run, while driving in five runs and scoring three times.
Game 3
Sterling fell just short in a 9-8 loss to Avila University. Sterling scored five runs in the fourth inning to briefly take the lead, but the Eagles regained control with two runs in the sixth.
Avila took an early lead in the first inning when Tommy English hit a solo homer, followed by a sacrifice fly from Will Clark, bringing the score to 2-0 in favor of Avila.
Sterling responded in the second inning as Joshua Garcia scored on a groundout by Ezavien Campos, narrowing the gap to 2-1. However, the Eagles extended their lead with three runs, including an RBI single by Caden Stillwell and a triple from Joey Reichmuth, making it 5-1 after the second inning.
In the fourth inning, Sterling’s offense surged with a five-run inning. Ramos and Mitchel McDaniel scored on an RBI single by Campos, who later scored on a wild pitch. Huerta Cardenas added two more runs with a double, tying the game at 6-6.
The fifth inning saw both teams scoring one run each, with Campos scoring on a sacrifice fly by Huerta Cardenas for Sterling, and Emmanuel Ealey scoring for the Eagles with an RBI single by English, keeping the score tied at 7-7.
Sterling briefly took the lead in the sixth when Parker “Jadyn” Saxbury scored on a single by Campos. However, Avila reclaimed the lead with a two-run homer by JJ Stubblefield, concluding the inning ahead 9-8.
The seventh inning was scoreless for both teams, and the Eagles secured the narrow 9-8 victory.
Eric Villa pitched for 1 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on three hits, including one home run, while striking out one and walking four. Aaron Elsasser contributed 1 1/3 innings, conceding one earned run on three hits, including a triple and a double, and recorded two strikeouts with one walk. Cayden Fisk pitched 2 innings, allowing one earned run on one hit, managing to keep the walks low with just one. Tyreek Sherman completed 1 inning, giving up two earned runs on two hits, including a home run, and struck out one without issuing any walks.
Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas led the team with three RBIs, including a double. Ezavien Campos contributed significantly with three RBIs and two hits. Matthew Garcia demonstrated patience at the plate, drawing three walks and scoring a run, while adding four assists defensively. Landen Volner added a hit and a stolen base to his tally, showcasing versatility in the lineup.
Sterling (10-13, 4-6) will take on Bethany College (9-15, 3-7) at home on Tuesday, March 10 at 2 p.m.
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.
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