STERLING, Kan. — Sterling College defeated McPherson College in two of the three game series on Friday through Saturday, Feb. 20-21. The Warriors started with a 11-10 win in game one followed by a 10-0 shutout in game two, but the Bulldogs responded with a 9-8 comeback win in game three.
Game 1
Sterling managed 11 hits, including two doubles and a triple, while drawing eight walks and capitalizing on the Bulldogs’ lone error, in a 11-10 win.
The Warriors captured an early lead in the first inning when Matthew Garcia singled, stole second, and scored on Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas‘ double to left field, making it 1-0.
In the second inning, Joshua Garcia singled and stole second, later scoring on Parker “Jadyn” Saxbury‘s double. Chuck Lang added another run with an RBI single, extending Sterling’s lead to 3-0 through two innings.
Sterling continued its offensive momentum in the third inning. An error allowed Ezavien Campos to reach base, and Nehemiah House and J. Garcia were hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Isaac Barnett‘s single brought in two runs, while Saxbury followed with another RBI single. Sterling extended its lead to 6-3 after three innings.
Sterling added another run in the fourth inning when Cardenas tripled and scored on House’s single, extending the lead to 7-3.
McPherson tied the game in the sixth inning, scoring four runs on a combination of singles and a sacrifice fly, bringing the score to 7-7.
The Warriors reclaimed the lead in the eighth inning. M. Garcia singled and advanced on walks, eventually scoring on a walk by House. A fielding error allowed another run to score, and Barnett’s hit-by-pitch brought in a third run. House scored on a wild pitch, pushing Sterling ahead 11-7.
The Bulldogs attempted a comeback in the ninth inning with a two-run homer by Marcus Patton and a solo shot by Adan Soto, but Sterling held on to secure the 11-10 win.
Jace Phillips pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits, including two doubles and a triple, while striking out five and walking three. Cooper Lovelace made a brief relief appearance, facing two batters and walking one, with no hits allowed in 1/3 inning. Landon Snyder contributed 2 1/3 innings of work, surrendering three earned runs on three hits, including two home runs and a double, while issuing one walk. Jordan Ramsey closed out the game, earning a save by pitching 2/3 of an inning, allowing one hit and no runs, with no walks or strikeouts.
Matthew Garcia posted two hits, scored two runs, and recorded four assists on defense. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas collected two hits, including a double and a triple, while driving in one run. Nehemiah House scored twice and added two RBI with two hits and a walk. Isaac Barnett contributed three RBI, delivering with the bases loaded and getting hit by a pitch.
Game 2
Sterling secured a commanding 10-0 victory over McPherson. Sterling’s offense rallied in the middle innings, highlighted by a five-run fifth inning, while its pitching staff combined for a shutout, striking out 12 batters.
The Warriors secured a decisive victory over the Bulldogs with a strong performance starting in the fourth inning. In that frame, Cardenas was hit by a pitch and later scored on House’s double to right field. J. Garcia doubled to bring House home, putting Sterling ahead 2-0.
The momentum continued in the fifth inning, as M. Garcia and Lang executed a double steal, setting the stage for Jackson Harding‘s three-run homer to left field. Later, a wild pitch allowed House to score, extending Sterling’s lead to 7-0 by inning’s end.
Sterling added three more runs in the sixth inning. Lang singled and advanced to third on Cardenas’ single, who then stole second. Campos tripled, driving in two runs, and House’s subsequent double brought Campos home, increasing the lead to 10-0.
The Warrior’s defense, coupled with effective pitching, kept the Bulldogs scoreless throughout the game. The game concluded with Sterling triumphing 10-0 over McPherson College.
Jackson Califono pitched a strong 5 innings, allowing no earned runs and recording nine strikeouts while giving up four hits and three walks. Califono threw 92 pitches, with 60 going for strikes. Aaron Elsasser came in relief, pitching 2 innings without allowing a hit or a run, striking out three batters and walking two, while throwing 38 pitches with 24 strikes. The combined efforts of Califono and Elsasser resulted in a shutout performance from Sterling’s pitchers.
Jackson Harding made a significant impact by recording three RBIs and hitting a home run. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas contributed with three hits and crossed the plate three times. Nehemiah House delivered two doubles and drove in two runs while scoring twice. Joshua Garcia added to the offensive effort with three hits, including a double, and two RBIs.
Game 3
Sterling’s only loss came in a closely contested 9-8 battle. Despite a strong second inning in which Sterling scored five runs, McPherson’s late rally in the seventh inning secured their victory.
McPherson took an early lead in the first inning, scoring three runs. Jaylon Woodley walked and advanced to third on Myles Vazquez’s double. Colt Sussex-Uphold singled, driving in Woodley and Vazquez. A sacrifice fly by Austin Easter scored Sussex-Uphold, making it 3-0.
Sterling responded in the second inning, scoring five runs. Campos and House were hit by pitches, followed by a walk to J. Garcia. Barnett’s walk brought in Campos for the first run. M. Garcia’s single scored J. Garcia, and Lang’s single plated Barnett and Saxbury. Cardenas singled to score Garcia, giving Sterling a 5-4 lead.
In the third inning, the Warriors extended its lead. J. Garcia doubled and scored on Saxbury’s RBI double. M. Garcia was hit by a pitch and advanced on a passed ball, setting up Lang’s walk. Harding grounded out, scoring Saxbury, pushing the lead to 7-4.
Sterling added another run in the sixth inning. Cardenas singled, and Henry Green IV, who pinch-ran, scored on House’s groundout, increasing the lead to 8-4.
McPherson mounted a comeback in the seventh inning. Ky’rell Taylor doubled, and subsequent fielding errors allowed the Bulldogs to score five runs, reclaiming the lead. Sussex-Uphold’s double drove in two runs, and sacrifice flies by Troy Stukenber and Easter brought in two more, resulting in a 9-8 lead for McPherson.
Colin Clark started on the mound for Sterling, pitching 1 inning and allowing four earned runs on five hits, including a double and a triple, while striking out two. Cooper Lovelace followed with a strong performance, pitching 1 inning without allowing any hits or runs, recording two fly outs. Peyton Fletcher was effective in relief, delivering 4 hitless innings and striking out six, contributing to a low WHIP of 0.25. Jordan Ramsey struggled in his outing, giving up four earned runs on two hits and two doubles without recording an out. Eric Villa closed the game with 1 inning, allowing no hits and retiring two batters on fly outs.
Matthew Garcia contributed with a hit, a run, and an RBI, while also drawing two walks. Joshua Garcia delivered two runs and a double. Parker “Jadyn” Saxbury scored twice and drove in a run, also hitting a double in the process. Chuck Lang tallied two RBIs, added a hit, and stole a base.
Up next, the Warriors (5-11, 2-4) will host Randall University (4-9) on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27-28. The doubleheader of Friday will begin at 11 a.m. while the single nine-inning game will be played on Saturday at noon.
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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