SEMINOLE, Neb. — Sterling College started the week sweeping Oklahoma City University in a doubleheader on Monday, Feb. 2 for thier first win of the season. The games were played on a nuetral field at Seminole State College due to field conditions in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Warriors won game one 9-6 followed by a dominate performance in game two with a 28-8 victory.
Game 1
In a 9-6 victory over Oklahoma City University the Warriors overcome an early deficit with a four-run sixth inning that proved decisive. Sterling tallied 12 hits, including four doubles and a home run, while holding OCU to six runs on 11 hits.
The Warriors got out to a slow start as the Stars took an early lead. In the first inning, the Stars capitalized on a wild pitch and a home run by Wyatt Pace to score two runs, leading 2-0 after one inning.
In the second inning, Oklahoma City extended their lead with a run scored on a wild pitch, making it 3-0. Sterling struggled to find offensive momentum early, leaving two runners on base without scoring.
The fourth inning marked a turning point for Sterling. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas and Ezavien Campos set the stage with a single and a double, respectively. Mateo Castro then delivered a crucial triple, driving in two runs. Imanol Ramos followed with a double to bring Castro home, narrowing the gap to 5-3 by the end of the inning.
Sterling continued to chip away in the fifth inning. Chuck Lang walked and scored on an RBI fielder’s choice by Cardenas, cutting the Stars’ lead to 6-4. Sterling’s defense held firm in the bottom half, keeping OCU from scoring.
The sixth inning saw the Warrior’s offense erupt. Lang’s three-run home run was the highlight, as Sterling scored four runs to take an 8-6 lead, their first of the game. Cardenas added to Sterling’s advantage with an RBI single, concluding the inning with Sterling leading 8-6.
In the seventh inning, Sterling added an insurance run. Matthew Garcia‘s single brought Castro home, extending the lead to 9-6. Sterling’s pitching staff effectively shut down the Stars’ lineup in the final innings, securing a 9-6 victory for Sterling.
Jackson Califono pitched three innings, striking out seven batters but allowed five earned runs on six hits, including three home runs and a triple. Colin Clark provided 2.1 innings of relief, conceding one earned run on five hits while striking out four. Eric Villa faced three batters in his 0.2 inning stint, recording one strikeout and allowing no hits. Jack Trent closed with a scoreless inning, allowing no hits and issuing one walk.
Chuck Lang recorded three RBIs and hit a home run, contributing two runs. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas tallied two hits and drove in two runs. Mateo Castro scored three runs, added a triple, and collected two RBIs. Imanol Ramos came off the bench to add a double, two hits, and one RBI.
Game 2
SEMINOLE STATE — Sterling secured a dominant 28-8 victory over Oklahoma City on Monday, with Sterling’s offensive onslaught highlighted by four home runs.
In the opening inning, Sterling jumped ahead with a pair of key hits. Lang and Jackson Harding each doubled, with Harding driving in Lang for the first run. Cardenas extended the lead with a two-run homer to left field, putting Sterling up 3-0. However, Oklahoma City responded with four runs, highlighted by a three-run homer from Pace, leading 4-3 after one inning.
The Warriors regained momentum in the second inning with a four-run effort. A series of walks and miscues allowed Castro to score unearned, while a balk and wild pitch brought home two more. Cardenas capitalized on an error to drive in another run, putting Sterling ahead 7-4.
In the third inning, a balk allowed Castro to score after reaching third, but the Stars answered with four runs of their own, including a two-run homer by Jack Johnson, reclaiming a narrow 8-7 lead.
Sterling tied the game in the fourth when Joshua Garcia scored on an error. Campos reached on a fielder’s choice and the additional error allowed another run, putting Sterling up 9-8.
Sterling extended their lead in the fifth inning with a two-RBI single by Nehemiah House. OCU was held scoreless, with Sterling leading 11-8.
The sixth inning saw the Warriors add five more runs. Harding’s grand slam was the highlight, increasing the advantage to 16-8. Sterling’s defense held firm, allowing no runs across the remaining innings.
Sterling delivered an offensive surge in the seventh, scoring 11 runs. Cardenas hit his second homer of the game, a three-run shot, while Landon Volner added a grand slam, widening the gap to 28-8.
The game concluded with no additional runs in the eighth inning, securing a 28-8 victory for Sterling.
Sterling’s pitching staff faced a challenging outing against the Stars. Snyder started on the mound, pitching 2.2 innings while allowing eight earned runs on five hits and five walks, including two home runs. Despite this, Landon Snyder struck out five batters. Aaron Elsasser provided relief with a solid performance, pitching 2.1 innings with no earned runs, giving up two hits, and striking out four. Peyton Fletcher contributed two innings of scoreless relief, allowing three hits and striking out two, maintaining a WHIP of 1.50.
Jackson Harding recorded five RBIs while hitting a home run and a double, contributing four runs. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas added six RBIs with two home runs, scoring three runs. Chuck Lang scored five runs and collected three hits, including a double. Matthew Garcia crossed the plate four times, reached base with two hits, and drew three walks.
Up next, Sterling (2-2) will take on Texas Wesleyan (5-1) with a doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 6 to start at noon followed by a single game on Saturday, Feb. 7 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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.
