STERLING, Kan. — Sterling upset No. 20 ranked Ottawa getting two wins in a three game series on Friday and Saturday, March 14-15. Sterling won the first two games in walk-off fashion, 7-6 and 15-14 but was unable to pull off the sweep, losing game 3, 12-3.
Game 1
Sterling’s pivotal third inning, where it scored four runs, set the tone for this closely contested matchup.
Ottawa took an early lead in the second inning with a solo home run by Dane Lujan, making the score 1-0. Sterling responded in the third inning with a strong offensive display. Matthew Garcia singled and Chuck Lang doubled, putting Garcia at third, though he was eventually tagged out at home. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas then hit a two-run homer, bringing in Lang. Later, Mitchel McDaniel, pinch running for Jackson Harding, scored on Nehemiah House‘s single. Joshua Garcia added another run, scoring on a hit by pitch with the bases loaded, giving Sterling a 4-3 lead after three innings.
Sterling extended its lead in the fourth inning. M. Garcia was hit by a pitch, and Lang followed with another hit by pitch. Huerta Cardenas singled, driving in M. Garcia. A sacrifice fly by Harding brought Lang home, increasing Sterling’s lead to 6-3 through four innings.
In the eighth inning, the Braves closed the gap with two runs. Jose Vega reached on a fielder’s choice, causing a score due to a throwing error, and another run scored during the sequence, narrowing the margin to 6-5.
The ninth inning was crucial as Ottawa managed to score one more run, but Sterling sealed the victory with an RBI hit by pitch from Harding, allowing M. Garcia to score after he advanced to third on a balk. Sterling secured a 7-6 win.
Jace Phillips pitched effectively for Sterling, completing 7 innings with four hits allowed and three earned runs. He struck out four batters and walked four, throwing a total of 101 pitches, 55 of which were strikes. Cayden Fisk, in relief, pitched 1 inning, giving up one hit and two runs, with one walk and one hit batter. Jason Reed closed the game with 1 inning pitched, allowing one hit and one earned run, while also walking one and hitting a batter.
Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas led the Sterling team with a home run and three RBIs, contributing significantly to its offensive efforts. Matthew Garcia added two runs and was hit by a pitch twice, demonstrating his ability to get on base. Chuck Lang scored two runs, drew two walks, and hit a double, enhancing the team’s scoring opportunities. Harding recorded two RBIs, helping to drive in crucial runs for Sterling.
Game 2
Sterling secured a narrow victory against Ottawa in a thrilling 15–14 game. Ottawa’s offense tallied 19 hits, but its five errors proved costly in the closely contested matchup while Sterling scored three crucial runs in the ninth inning to secure the win.
In the second inning, Ottawa took a 4–0 lead after a fielding error allowed two runs and a stolen home base added another. Sterling responded when Ezavien Campos hit a three-run homer to bring the score to 4–3 in favor of Ottawa.
Ottawa extended its lead to 9–4 in the third inning after a series of hits and a sacrifice bunt. Sterling added a run in the bottom of the third, with Lang scoring on a hit by pitch, making it 9–4.
The Braves pushed its lead to 13–4 in the sixth inning with a series of singles and a double, but Sterling answered in the seventh inning with Huerta Cardenas scoring on a single by House, bringing the score to 13–5.
In the eighth inning, Ottawa added another run with a home run by Jeremy Freeman, but Sterling answered back dramatically with six runs, including a two-RBI single by Landen Volner, narrowing the gap to 14–11.
The Warriors tied the game in the ninth inning after a series of plays, including a hit by pitch that allowed Lang to score. The score was tied at 14–14, pushing the game into extra innings.
In the tenth inning, Sterling’s Huerta Cardenas drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Cayden Fisk who pinch ran for Jason Smith for the winning run and securing the 15–14 victory for Sterling.
Colin Clark pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on five hits and three hit batters, with a WHIP of 3.33 and no strikeouts. Aaron Elsasser followed with 2 2/3 innings, conceding four earned runs on eight hits, while issuing one walk. Zachary Johnston contributed 3 2/3 innings, surrendering one earned run on five hits, with three walks and one hit batter. Jackson Reed closed the game with 1 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and striking out one batter.
Chuck Lang recorded three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. Ezavien Campos contributed two hits, a triple, and a home run, while collecting four RBIs. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas added two hits, including a double, and scored twice. Nehemiah House drove in three runs, with one hit and two hit-by-pitches.
Game 3
Sterling took an early lead in the first inning when Huerta Cardenas hit a two-run homer, bringing in Lang, who had reached base on a walk. This set the score at 2-0 in favor of Sterling.
Ottawa responded in the second inning with four runs. Vega scored on a single by Jalen Ryan, followed by a two-RBI double from Dylan Snead, which brought Ja. Ryan and Garrett Dodd home. Freeman added another run with an RBI single, giving the Braves a 4-2 lead.
Ottawa extended its lead in the third inning. Dodd scored on an RBI double by Jose Lopez, making it 5-2.
In the fifth inning, the Braves’ Vega hit a solo home run, further increasing its lead to 6-2.
Sterling managed to add a run in the sixth inning when M. Garcia doubled, allowing Imanol Ramos to score after reaching base on a walk. Ottawa countered with three runs in the same inning, highlighted by a two-run single from Vega, bringing the score to 9-3.
Ottawa continued its momentum in the seventh inning with three more runs, including a two-RBI triple by Julius Ryan, which extended its lead to 12-3.
The game concluded with the Braves securing a 12-3 victory over Sterling.
Jack Trent started the game for Sterling, pitching 1 2/3 innings and allowing four earned runs on three hits, with two walks and one strikeout. Landon Snyder followed with a 3 2/3 innings performance, surrendering three earned runs on six hits, including two home runs, while striking out four. Eric Villa pitched for 2/3 of an inning, giving up three earned runs on three hits. Jordan Ramsey closed the game with one inning, allowing two runs, one of which was earned, on one hit and one walk, and recorded one strikeout.
Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas led with a home run and two RBIs, contributing significantly to the offense. Matthew Garcia added a double and an RBI, making a key impact at the plate. Joshua Garcia reached base four times, drawing three walks and being hit by a pitch, effectively extending innings. Jackson Harding finished with a hit and a walk, keeping the pressure on the opposing pitcher.
Sterling (13-4, 7-7) will continue conference play with a three-game series against Southwestern (8-18, 5-12) in Winfield, Kan. on Friday and Saturday, March 20-21.
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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