Warriors defeat Spires in three-game series

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Sterling College got two wins against the University of Saint Mary in a weekend series on Friday through Saturday, March 27-28. The Warriors started with a tightly contested 6-5 loss in extra innings in game one but bounced back with a commanding 11-3 victory in game two and finished out the series with a 6-5 win.

Game 1

Saint Mary took an early lead in the third inning. Collin Pitzer's RBI single brought in Spencer Baehman, followed by Saul Vazquez-Alvarado's RBI single, which scored another run. The inning ended with the Spires ahead, 2-0.

Sterling responded in the fifth inning. Chuck Lang's two-RBI single leveled the score at 2-2 through five innings.

USM regained the lead in the sixth inning. Sergio Fierro reached on a fielder's choice, which allowed Ian Maldonado to score, putting Saint Mary up 3-2.

Sterling regained momentum in the seventh inning. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas' RBI single scored Matthew Garcia. An error allowed Lang to cross the plate, giving Sterling a 4-3 lead after seven innings.

The Spires tied the game in the ninth inning. Tannen Buss delivered an RBI single, scoring Pitzer, which sent the game into extra innings at 4-4.

In the tenth inning, Joshua Garcia tripled and scored on an error, briefly putting Sterling ahead. However, Saint Mary equalized. Baehman's RBI single scored Cooper Stein, tying the game at 5-5 through ten innings.

The game reached its conclusion in the twelfth inning. Maldonado's RBI single drove in Keylan Overton, sealing a 6-5 victory for USM.

Jace Phillips delivered a solid performance on the mound, pitching 6 innings and allowing three earned runs while striking out three batters. He faced 27 batters, yielding five hits and four walks. Zachary Johnston made a brief appearance, recording 2/3 inning with one strikeout, but issued two walks and allowed no hits. Landon Snyder pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on one hit, while striking out one. Henry Green IV contributed 1 2/3 innings, giving up one earned run on two hits and one walk. Cooper Lovelace faced just one batter, allowing a single hit in his brief outing.

Chuck Lang recorded three hits and drove in two runs, demonstrating effectiveness at the plate. Joshua Garcia scored twice and collected three hits, including a triple, showcasing his ability to get on base and advance. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas contributed with two hits and one RBI, adding a stolen base to his stats.

Game 2

Sterling faced Saint Mary in a matchup that started with a quiet first five innings, as both teams remained scoreless until the sixth inning. Sterling broke the deadlock in the sixth with Lang scoring on Huerta Cardenas's double. The Spires responded by scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 2-1 lead.

The Warriors took control in the eighth inning. Mateo Castro was hit by a pitch to start the inning and later scored on Jackson Harding's RBI single. Nehemiah House contributed with a sacrifice fly, bringing home another run, and J. Garcia's double added yet another, putting Sterling ahead 4-2 after eight innings.

In the ninth inning, Sterling's offense erupted for seven runs. Isaac Barnett, who pinch ran for Ezavien Campos, scored on a hit-by-pitch RBI by Lang. Huerta Cardenas drove in another with a sacrifice fly, and Harding's double brought in two more runs. House singled and scored on an error, and J. Garcia's single drove in another run. Sterling ultimately finished the inning with a commanding lead of 11-3.

The Spires managed to add one run in the bottom of the ninth, but Sterling secured an 11-3 victory over USM.

Colin Clark delivered a complete game performance, pitching 9 innings while allowing seven hits and three earned runs. He demonstrated control by issuing only two walks and striking out three batters over 106 pitches, 73 of which were strikes. Clark's ability to induce ground balls was evident, as he recorded 13 groundouts compared to 10 flyouts. Despite allowing three doubles, Clark maintained a WHIP of 1.00, showcasing his effectiveness in limiting baserunners.

Chuck Lang scored three runs and recorded two hits, including a double, while also driving in one run. Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas tallied two RBIs and added a double in his one hit. Harding contributed with three RBIs, collecting two hits, one of which was a double.

Game 3

Saint Mary took an early lead in the first inning with two runs scored on an Ian Maldonado single to center field, bringing home Vazquez-Alvarado and Buss. The Spires led 2–0 after the first.

The Warriors responded in the second inning. Harding walked and was followed by a walk to Landen Volner, who was replaced by pinch runner Mitchel McDaniel. Campos then doubled to right center, driving in both Harding and McDaniel. The score was tied 2–2 at the end of the second inning.

In the fifth inning, Sterling regained momentum. M. Garcia singled and Lang was hit by a pitch. Huerta Cardenas then doubled down the left field line, allowing M. Garcia and Lang to score. Sterling led 4–2 after five innings.

Sterling extended its lead in the sixth inning. Imanol Ramos walked and was replaced by pinch runner Green IV, who stole second and scored on an error by the Spires' first baseman after a groundout by Campos. The score was 5–2 in favor of the Warriors through six innings.

USM scored in the bottom of the sixth, with Lucas Barta coming home on a sacrifice fly by Fierro. Sterling's lead was reduced to 5–3.

In the seventh inning, Sterling added another run. Huerta Cardenas walked and was moved to third on a double by Harding. Huerta Cardenas scored on a sacrifice fly by Ramos. Sterling led 6–3.

The Spires attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Vazquez-Alvarado scored on a double by Barta, and Buss scored on a sacrifice fly by Maldonado. However, Sterling maintained its lead with a score of 6–5.

Aaron Elsasser pitched a complete game, allowing 11 hits and five earned runs over 7 innings. He faced 34 batters, striking out five and walking two, throwing a total of 100 pitches with 72 strikes. Despite giving up runs in the first and seventh innings, Elsasser recorded eight fly outs and eight ground outs, keeping the opposing team off balance throughout the game.

Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas delivered a strong performance, recording two hits with a double and two RBIs, while also scoring a run and stealing a base. Ezavien Campos contributed significantly, driving in three runs with a double and making four assists in the field. Jackson Harding added to the offense with a double and a stolen base, scoring once and drawing a walk.

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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