Sterling Goes 3-1 Against Waldorf

Sterling, Kan. – It was Warriors versus Warriors in this four game weekend series. Sterling College played a pair of doubleheaders over the weekend, snatching wins in walk off fashion on multiple occasions. There were four great games played, all decided by just one run each. Sterling found success in three of the four games, bumping their record up to 6-5 for the season.

Game 1- Sterling -3 Waldorf -4

The first three innings of the first game were quiet as Sterling and Waldorf were putting the ball in play but had a hard time reaching base. Waldorf was the first to score in the fourth inning after a trio of singles and a sac fly plated 2 runs. Sterling waited to play catch-up until the sixth inning. Luis Morales hit a single, then advanced to third after Aaron Johnson singled (who was swapped out for Trent Rullman as a pinch runner). Ryan Speer then hit a double, allowing Morales and Rullman to come around and score. James Easter then pinch-ran for Speer, who scored after Armando Duran hit a double into center field. Waldorf benefited from four straight walks and an RBI single and retook the lead. The game ended with Waldorf coming back and beating Sterling 4-3.

Duran had a total of two hits, followed by Morales, Johnson, and Speer each with one. The pitcher's mound was dominated by Speer, with a total of pitching 6 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 runs, and striking out 3 batters. Tyler Duffey and Dustin Chartrand shared the final inning. Duffey gave up two runs and had 1 strikeout. Chartrand gave up one hit in his time on the mound.

Game 2- Sterling -3 Waldorf -2

The next game began much like the first one, with the scoreboard empty until the third inning. Waldorf gained the first runs yet again after a runner reached first on an error followed by an RBI triple. Waldorf immediately singled in another run before Sterling closed out the inning. This wouldn't stop Sterling as they scored in the next inning taking advantage of a pair of both hits and walks. Having the bases loaded, Jackson Kawelo smacked a double, allowing Elvis Rumaldo and Duran to race home. Sterling was looking for more chances to score but grounded out on the next play. The game was tied as both teams looked to plate the go ahead run. It was Sterling who stole the win from Waldorf in the last inning. Austin Santiago reached first by an error on the second baseman, advancing to second base, then again onto third after another error. Elijah Howard was the hero for Sterling when he won the game in walk off fashion. Howard hit a hard shot to left as the Waldorf defense had to play in with the game winning run at third base. Howard's hit brought Santiago the final 90 feet with Sterling completing the comeback. The score was 3-2, Sterling.

Howard, Speer, Kawelo, and Nicholas Keller each had a hit in the game. Camrin Wleczyk controlled the mound the entire game, giving 4 hits, and 2 runs, while striking out 4 of Waldorf's batters. Wleczyk walked away with the win.

Game 3- Sterling -7 Waldorf -6

There were only 4 half-innings that were not scored in this game against Waldorf, as Sterling fought to keep the win. While Waldorf was the first to score, the lead didn't stay long as Sterling quickly put in three runs as well. With bases loaded, Duran flew out to left field, giving time for Morales to run home. Howard followed closely behind after a hit from Johnson into center field. Speer then came around to score on a single from Rumaldo. The inning ended after Santiago grounded out to the second base. In the second inning, Morales reached first on an error, then advances to third after a hit from Howard. Morales came home after another single from Speer, unchallenged. Howard was quick to follow behind, making the game 5-2 after two innings of play. Waldorf remained consistent with their one-run per inning pattern, and Sterling put up another run thanks to a run by Kawelo on a sac fly to right by Austin Santiago. Sterling was held scoreless from that point until the seventh inning, even after Waldorf put up two more runs in the sixth and seventh inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Kawelo walked to first base, then was pinch run by James Easter. Easter advanced to second after a bunt from Rullman, then to third after Tarafa flew out to the right field. With Easter at third, Waldorf wanted to appeal the tag up on the previous play and threw the ball into center field while trying to throw to second. Easter scored from third, the appeal was made, the tag was legal and Sterling won in one of the most bizarre finishes. The score was 7-6, Sterling.

Howard, Speer, Johnson, Rumaldo, Kawelo, and Santos all had one hit each. Sharing the pitcher's mound was Chris Isaac, who gave up eigh8t hits, 5 runs, and had 2 strikeouts, and Gentry Bradbury, who gave 1 hit, 1 run, and had 2 strikeouts.

Game 4- Sterling -8 Waldorf -7

Sterling gave a nerve-wracking performance in the final game, allowing Waldorf to gain a three-run lead before gaining two runs in the fourth inning. Tarafa singled in his bat, and Johnson quickly followed up with a two-run home run to right center field, putting two runs on the board. Sterling would then wait until the sixth inning to kick it into high gear. Trailing 7-2, Sterling scored 5 runs in their half of the sixth inning. Johnson doubled to center field. Keller, hit by pitch, was pinch run for Easter. The bases were filled after Kawelo earned a walk, giving Santiago a chance to single to center field, and Easter and Johnson scored. Morales followed close behind, singling so that Kawelo could score. Another single by Speer brought Santiago around to score as well before the inning ended. Sterling completed the five-run comeback to tie it at 7 heading into the seventh inning. Knotted up in the final inning, tension was high and Sterling put out the best defense they could against Waldorf. Despite getting a hit, Waldorf didn't score, allowing Sterling to take the game. Keller was hit by a pitch, and Rullman came in to pinch run. Rullman advanced to second base after an error by the second baseman, then stole third. The heroics came from Lane Thacker to close out the series as Sterling walked off once again on the Thacker single, finishing the final game at 8-7.

Santiago led the hits this game with three of his own, followed closely by two hits from Johnson and Morales. Speer, Thacker, and Tarafa each had one hit as well, totaling 10 hits for the game. Four pitchers took the mound this game. Andrew Mason had six strikeouts in the four innings he pitched, and gave up two hits and three runs. Chartrand had two strikeouts and gave up one hit and one run. Eric Beyale gave up two hits and two runs. Reid Heidtbrink gave one hit and one run.

Baseball returns to the field on Feb 21 against the Oklahoma City University Rams.

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