STERLING, Kan. — Sterling College secured a 9-7 victory over Bethany College on Tuesday, March 10, propelled by a seven-run outburst in the second inning.
The Swedes managed a late-game surge, scoring four runs in the eighth, but it fell short in its comeback attempt.
The Warriors opened the scoring in the first inning. Chuck Lang walked and advanced to third on a single by Jackson Harding before scoring on a hit-by-pitch to Joshua Garcia. The inning concluded with Sterling leading 1-0.
In the second inning, Sterling’s offense erupted for seven runs. Imanol Ramos walked, and consecutive hit-by-pitches loaded the bases. Matthew Garcia was hit by a pitch, bringing in the first run. Lang followed with an RBI single, and Harding walked to score another. J. Garcia was hit again, forcing in another run. A wild pitch allowed Lang to score, and Nehemiah House added an RBI single. Ramos’ sacrifice fly plated the final run, giving Sterling an 8-0 lead after two innings.
Bethany got on the board in the fifth inning with an unearned run when Brevin Hoffman scored on a groundout. The score was 8-1 in favor of Sterling after five innings.
The Swedes added two more runs in the sixth inning. Connor Balmer tripled to drive in a run, and Stephen Kent doubled to score Balmer, narrowing Sterling’s lead to 8-3.
Sterling responded in the eighth inning. M. Garcia singled and scored on a double by Lang, extending the lead to 9-3. However, Bethany countered with four runs in the bottom half, highlighted by Jesuel Cruz’s three-RBI double, tightening the game to 9-7 through eight innings.
In the ninth inning, Jason Reed closed out the game for Sterling, securing a 9-7 victory over the Swedes.
Jack Trent started on the mound for Sterling, pitching 2 innings without allowing a run, while giving up two hits and striking out two batters. Landon Snyder took over in relief, earning the win with a solid 5-inning performance, allowing two earned runs on four hits and striking out three. Zachary Johnston struggled in his brief appearance, surrendering three earned runs on two hits over 2/3 of an inning. Reed closed the game, securing the save by pitching 1 1/3 innings, striking out three, and allowing just one hit.
Matthew Garcia scored two runs and contributed four assists in the field. Lang added two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. Joshua Garcia reached base twice via hit by pitch and collected two RBIs.
Up next, the Warriors (11-13, 5-6) will take on Ottawa University (22-3, 13-2) in a three-game series in Sterling, Kan. on Friday-Saturday, March 13-14.
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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