SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Sterling got the win over Evangel in a three-game series on Thursday and Friday, April 2-3. The Warriors dropped the first game in a high scoring affair 18-17, before bouncing back with a 9-8 win in game two and 7-1 win in game three.
Game 1
Sterling took an early lead in the first inning. Matthew Garcia walked, and Chuck Lang singled, setting up Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas, who doubled to bring in the first run. Imanol Ramos capped the inning with a three-run homer, giving Sterling a 5-0 advantage.
In the second, Lang hit a two-run homer, extending Sterling’s lead to 7-0. Evangel responded with a run, making it 7-1 by the end of the inning.
The fifth inning saw Ezavien Campos hit a three-run home run, increasing Sterling’s lead to 10-5.
In the seventh, Ramos homered again, but Evangel rallied with seven runs to take a 15-11 lead.
The Warriors answered back in the eighth with a five-run rally, highlighted by Joshua Garcia‘s three-run homer, regaining a 16-15 lead.
The ninth inning featured a tight contest. Ramos singled to score a run, but the Valor scored three runs, including a two-run homer, securing an 18-17 victory over Sterling.
Jace Phillips pitched 5 innings, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits while striking out three batters and walking five in his starting appearance. Cayden Fisk relieved Phillips, pitching 1 inning with one earned run on one hit, one walk, and one strikeout. Jackson Reed faced difficulty, giving up five earned runs on two hits and two walks in just 1/3 of an inning. Cooper Lovelace contributed 2 innings of relief, surrendering three earned runs on five hits, including a home run, while striking out two. Henry Green IV did not record an out in his appearance but issued one walk and threw two wild pitches.
Chuck Lang tallied three runs, collected two hits, and added a home run while also drawing a walk and stealing two bases. Imanol Ramos recorded four hits, including two home runs, and drove in five runs, contributing two runs himself. Joshua Garcia scored twice, collected two hits including a home run, and drove in three runs while drawing two walks. Ezavien Campos registered two hits, one of which was a home run, and contributed three RBIs along with a run scored.
Game 2
Evangel took an early lead in the first inning with solo home runs by Evan Jno-Baptiste and Quentin Edwards, bringing the score to 2–0 in favor of the Valor.
In the second inning, Sterling responded when Campos doubled and Mateo Castro followed with an RBI single, cutting the deficit to 2–1. By the end of the third inning, Sterling tied the game 2–2 as Huerta Cardenas scored on a single from Nehemiah House.
Sterling gained momentum in the fifth inning. Huerta Cardenas homered to left-center, and an RBI single by Campos brought J. Garcia home, giving Sterling a 4–3 lead.
The sixth inning saw further action from the Warriors, as House delivered a two-RBI single, scoring Huerta Cardenas and Lang. Ramos added to the tally with an RBI single, stretching the lead to 7–4.
In the seventh, Sterling capitalized on a defensive error, allowing M. Garcia to score, extending the lead to 8–6. Sterling added an insurance run in the eighth when M. Garcia drove in Henry Green IV with a single, bringing the score to 9–6.
Despite a late rally from the Valor in the ninth, fueled by Edwards’ two-run homer, Sterling held on for a narrow 9–8 victory.
Colin Clark delivered a solid performance on the mound, pitching 6 2/3 innings while allowing six earned runs on seven hits. Despite surrendering three home runs, he commanded the game with 97 pitches, 55 of which were strikes. Landon Snyder came in relief, pitching 2 1/3 innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits. Snyder struck out two batters and issued two walks.
Matthew Garcia recorded four hits, drove in one run, and stole a base, demonstrating his offensive contributions. Chuck Lang secured two stolen bases and reached base three times, showcasing his ability to create scoring opportunities. Huerta Cardenas hit a home run, scored three runs, and added an RBI, highlighting his ability to impact the game with power. Nehemiah House collected three hits, including a double, and drove in three runs, underlining his effectiveness at the plate.
Game 3
Sterling opened the game strong, scoring two runs in the first inning. M. Garcia singled down the left-field line, and Lang followed with a single to first base. Jackson Harding contributed with a single up the middle, driving in M. Garcia. A wild pitch allowed Lang to score, giving Sterling a 2-0 lead after one inning.
In the third inning, the Warriors capitalized on an error. Huerta Cardenas reached first on a fielding error and later scored on J. Garcia’s groundout, extending the lead to 3-0.
Sterling’s offense intensified in the fifth inning with three more runs. Huerta Cardenas was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on Harding’s single. Landen Volner then delivered a double to left field, bringing in two runs. Ramos later hit a sacrifice fly, scoring J. Garcia to push Sterling ahead 6-0 through five innings.
Evangel responded in the sixth with a home run by Cade Beshore, putting them on the board at 6-1.
The Warriors added a final run in the seventh inning when Campos singled to center field, allowing Mitchel McDaniel to score, making it 7-1.
Aaron Elsasser pitched a complete game for Sterling, allowing just one earned run over seven innings. He faced 29 batters, striking out three and giving up seven hits, including one home run. Elsasser maintained control throughout the game, issuing no walks and hitting one batter, resulting in a WHIP of 1.00. He threw 88 pitches, 58 of which were strikes.
Jackson Harding led the offensive charge with three hits and one RBI. Landen Volner contributed two RBIs with a double in his two at-bats. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas scored twice after being hit by a pitch.
Sterling (19-19) will take on Oklahoma City University (14-22) on Tuesday, April 7 in a single, nine-inning game 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.
