STERLING, Kan. — Sterling fell to Oklahoma Wesleyan in a three-game series on Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25 which marked the final games of the season for the Warriors. Sterling lost game one with a final score of 20-4 on Friday followed by a 17-2 loss in game two. The next day the Warriors tried to rally back but were defeated 9-6 on Saturday.
Game 1
In game one, Sterling managed 10 hits, including a double, but struggled defensively with four errors, while Oklahoma Wesleyan capitalized with 17 hits and three home runs. the Eagles took an early lead in the second inning, scoring four runs. Gilbert Morales started with a single and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt. Caden Azlin doubled in Morales, and Wally Diaz hit a three-run homer, making it 4-0 through two innings.
The third inning saw another four runs for the Eagles. After a series of singles and a walk, Diaz delivered his second homer of the game, driving in four runs. This extended the lead to 8-0 after three innings.
In the sixth inning, Sterling managed to get on the board. Imanol Ramos singled and Nehemiah House doubled, setting up Joshua Garcia‘s sacrifice fly that brought in Ramos. Ezavien Campos followed with an RBI single, bringing House home. The score was 13-2 after six innings.
Sterling continued its scoring effort in the seventh. House singled, driving in Mitchel McDaniel, who had pinch-run for Jackson Harding. Campos added another RBI with a single, scoring Mateo Castro. The inning ended with Sterling trailing 13-4.
OKWU sealed the game in the eighth inning with seven runs. Key moments included a two-RBI single by Diaz and a sequence of errors and walks that allowed additional runs. The inning concluded with the Eagles up 20-4.
Jace Phillips pitched 4 innings, allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits, including three home runs, while striking out five and walking three. Landon Snyder contributed 1 inning in relief, yielding three earned runs on one hit, with two strikeouts and two hit batters. Jordan Ramsey also pitched 1 inning, giving up one earned run on two hits and striking out two. Cooper Lovelace and Cayden Fisk each completed an inning, with Lovelace conceding six earned runs on four hits and Fisk allowing one run, both managing to strike out three and two batters, respectively.
Nehemiah House led Sterling with a performance that included three hits and one RBI, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive efforts. Ezavien Campos also made an impact by collecting two hits and driving in two runs. Imanol Ramos added to the scoring with two hits and a run scored, also drawing a walk during the game.
Game 2
In game two, Sterling managed four hits and scored in the final two innings, while Oklahoma Wesleyan hit four home runs and drew 10 walks in the seven-inning contest. The Eagles took control in the fourth inning, beginning with Devonte Bailey’s two-RBI single that brought home Azlin and Caden Stinson. Daurys Manzanillo followed by hitting a grand slam, adding four unearned runs to the board. JT Maloney capped the inning with a solo home run, extending the lead to 7-0.
In the fifth inning, the Eagles continued their offensive surge as Mitch Gratwick’s two-run homer contributed to a four-run inning, increasing the lead to 11-0.
Sterling got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning. Matthew Garcia scored on a wild pitch after reaching third base earlier in the inning, making it 15-1.
In the seventh inning, Landen Volner was hit by a pitch and later scored on M. Garcia’s RBI single, concluding Sterling’s scoring at 17-2.
Aaron Elsasser started the game for Sterling, pitching 4 innings while allowing six earned runs on five hits, including two home runs, and striking out three batters. Peyton Fletcher came in as a relief, facing difficulties by surrendering four earned runs on three hits in just 1/3 inning, along with two walks and a home run. Stephen Ferguson followed, allowing four earned runs over 1 inning, with two hits and three walks. Cayden Fisk closed the game with 1 2/3 innings pitched, giving up two earned runs on two hits, including a home run, while striking out two batters.
Matthew Garcia led the Sterling team with two hits and one RBI, contributing to a run scored. Mitchel McDaniel made an impact as a pinch runner, adding a run to the board.
Game 3
The Warriors bounced back in game three managing two home runs and drawing six walks, but the Eagles’ three home runs and 12 hits secured their victory.
The Eagles took the lead in the second inning when Morales doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Gratwick, putting them ahead 1-0.
In the third inning, Maloney hit a two-run homer, extending the Eagles’ advantage to 3-0.
The fourth inning saw the Eagles add three more runs, highlighted by home runs from Morales and Braydon Caldwell, taking a 6-0 lead.
Sterling responded in the fifth inning. Campos was hit by a pitch, and Jason Smith walked, setting the stage for M. Garcia’s single to load the bases. Chuck Lang walked, forcing in Campos for Sterling’s first run. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Smith. The Eagles led 6-2.
The Eagles added three runs in the eighth inning with a series of singles, including a two-RBI single by Joseph Gutierrez, extending their lead to 9-2. Sterling’s J. Garcia answered with a solo home run, making it 9-3.
In the ninth inning, Sterling mounted a comeback attempt. Harding singled and was replaced by pinch runner McDaniel. House singled, followed by J. Garcia’s three-run homer, closing the gap to 9-6. However, the rally fell short and the games ended 9-6 in favor of the Eagles.
Colin Clark pitched 6 innings, allowing eight hits and six earned runs, including three home runs, while walking three batters and throwing one wild pitch. Henry Green IV followed with 1 2/3 innings, giving up three hits and three earned runs, while striking out three and issuing four walks. Landon Snyder and Zachary Johnston closed the game, with Snyder pitching 1/3 inning and Johnston allowing only one hit in his 1 inning of work.
Joshua Garcia delivered a standout performance with two home runs and four RBIs, contributing two runs in the game. Nehemiah House added one run and one hit while striking out once. Matthew Garcia recorded a hit and was hit by a pitch, maintaining his presence on base.
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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