Sterling comes up short in doubleheader against Texas Wesleyan

FORT WORTH, Texas — Sterling College faced Texas Wesleyan University in a doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 6. The Warriors played the first game close, narrowly losing 5-4 but the second game got away from them and left the Rams on top, 3-10.

Game 1

The Rams clinched game one in the bottom of the seventh inning earning the final two runs to come out on top. Despite a three-run burst in the sixth inning by Sterling, Texas Wesleyan's consistent offense, totaling 11 hits, proved decisive.

Sterling took an early lead in the second inning when Ezavien Campos reached first on an error and advanced to third, setting up Imanol Ramos for a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Campos. This unearned run put Sterling ahead 1-0. Texas Wesleyan responded in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a wild pitch and a key triple by Jonathan Pena that brought in two runs, resulting in a 3-1 lead for the Rams after the inning.

In the sixth inning, Sterling mounted a comeback. Nehemiah House initiated the offense with a walk, later advancing on a wild pitch. Campos and Ramos also drew walks, loading the bases. A wild pitch allowed House to score, followed by a crucial single from Grayson Mulready, which drove in both Campos and Ramos, propelling Sterling to a 4-3 lead.

Texas Wesleyan regained the advantage in the seventh inning. A sequence of singles, capped by an RBI double from Brendon Vela, brought in two runs, allowing them to edge past Sterling with a 5-4 lead. The Rams' ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities in the late innings secured their victory, ending the game 5-4 in favor of the home team.

Jace Phillips pitched 4 innings, allowing 5 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 3 batters and walking 1. Phillips managed to keep a WHIP of 1.50 and threw 63 pitches, with 37 of them being strikes. Zachary "Ty" Johnston contributed with 1 inning, giving up 1 hit and striking out 1 without allowing any runs, recording a WHIP of 1.00 over 15 pitches. Aaron Elsasser pitched 1 1/3 innings, surrendering 5 hits and 2 earned runs without recording a strikeout, leading to a WHIP of 4.55.

Jackson Harding recorded two hits and added a stolen base while providing defensive support with two assists and catching a runner stealing. Campos contributed both offensively and defensively, scoring two runs and securing four assists at third base. Mulready made a significant impact with two runs batted in and also drew a walk and stole a base. Ramos added a run and an RBI, drawing a walk and executing a sacrifice fly.

Game 2

In game 2, Sterling's offensive efforts included a home run and a triple, but Texas Wesleyan's 15-hit performance, featuring four doubles, secured their victory.

Sterling opened the game with Matthew Garcia singling to shortstop and subsequently stealing second. Cardenas delivered an RBI single to left field, bringing M. Garcia home and putting Sterling ahead early. Texas Wesleyan responded in the bottom half, tying the game at 1-1 with a double from Vela that scored Daniel Hernandez. The game was tied 1-1 after the first inning.

In the second inning, the Rams took the lead with three runs. Pena walked and scored on a single by Xavier Martinez, who was replaced by pinch runner Aiden Vega. Sacrifice flies by Jose Rangel and Hernandez brought in additional runs, increasing the Rams' lead to 4-1 after two innings.

Sterling's Harding homered to left field in the fourth inning, narrowing the gap to 4-2. However, the Rams countered with a solo home run by Giuseppe Buttaci in their half of the inning, maintaining a 5-2 lead through four innings.

In the fifth inning, the Rams extended their lead as Vela and Jorge Herrera contributed with singles and a double, respectively, producing two more runs. By the end of the fifth, the score was 7-2 in favor of the Rams.

Sterling showed resilience in the sixth inning with M. Garcia tripling to left center and scoring on a groundout by J. Garcia, reducing the deficit to 7-3. Despite this effort, the Rams added three runs in the bottom of the sixth, including an RBI triple by Vela, widening the lead to 10-3.

The game concluded with the Rams securing a 10-3 victory over Sterling, highlighted by their consistent offensive production throughout the innings.

Tyreek Sherman pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on eight hits, including one home run, while striking out one and walking one. Peyton Fletcher came in relief, pitching 1 2/3 innings, surrendering two earned runs on three hits, but managed to catch one runner stealing. Stephen Ferguson, faced seven batters in one inning, allowing three earned runs on four hits, including a triple, with zero strikeouts or walks.

M. Garcia scored two runs and collected a triple and a stolen base. Harding added a home run while driving in one run and scoring once. Cardenas contributed with one hit and an additional RBI. Campos doubled, adding one hit to his tally.

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