Warriors Take Series Against Friends

Sterling, Kan- The Warriors gained two more wins for their record when they played against the Friends University Falcons in a weekend triple header.

Game One- Sterling -6                     Friends -5

Sterling gained the first run of the game in the first inning, made by Elvis Rumaldo. It started with a Luis Morales hitting a single, followed up with a Rumaldo single in the next play. The Falcons caught Morales out on third during Aaron Johnson's hit. In a double steal, Johnson and Rumaldo stole second and third. Rumaldo then took advantage of a throwing error made by the Falcon's catcher and came around to score on the play. After one inning of play, the Warriors led 1-0.

The next four innings remained scoreless as the Warriors and the Falcons put up solid defensive innings. It was in the top of the sixth inning that the Falcons scored three runs. The Warriors responded with three runs to regain their one run lead, 4-3. It started with Elijah Howard's single, followed by Albert Bisono-Rodriguez's double. After a groundout, Kyle Boomgaarden was intentionally walked to load the bases and provide a force out at any base. With bases loaded, Uziel Santos smacked a single, moving every runner up one base, allowing Howard to score. Trent Rullman became the courtesy runner for Santos. Bisono-Rodriguez after the right fielder dropped the ball on a Dustin Chartrand fly. Morales was hit by a pitch and Boomgaarden came in to score with the RBI going to Morales. The Warriors left the bases loaded, but not before regaining the lead.

Sterling scored another run in the seventh inning by Howard. After his single, Howard advanced on back to back singles by Thacker and Boomgaarden. Taking advantage of a wild pitch, Howard scored and Sterling was up 5-3.

The Warriors followed up with a run in the eighth inning after the Falcons scored two runs to tie the game at 5. It started with a Morales single, followed by a Rumaldo single. Rullman, in a pinch hit for Johnson, walked, loading the bases for the Warriors with nobody out. Howard flew out in a sac fly, allowing Morales to score. Sterling was not able to plate anymore runs, but it was just enough as Sterling shut down the Falcon offense in the top of the ninth securing a 6-5 win.

Three pitchers shared the pitcher's mound this game. Andrew Mason pitched five and a third innings, giving three runs on four hits, and striking out seven Falcon batters. Gio Ramos followed up with two runs on one hit and struck out one batter. Chartrand struck out two batters in one inning of work.

Offensively, both Morales and Rumaldo racked up 4 hits each. They  each scored a run as well and Morales knocked in a run as well. Howard, Santos and Chartrand each had RBIs as well. Howard also had a 2-hit game and scored twice.

Game Two- Sterling -2                     Friends -12

The Warriors couldn't find any rhythm in the second game, taking a big loss. The Falcons started the scoring getting a run in the fourth inning. The Warriors responded with one run as well. Howard kicked it off with a walk, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Howard then scored on Ryan Speer's single. That was if for the Warriors in the fourth inning, tying the game 1-1.

The Falcons scored three runs in the fifth inning, then two runs in the seventh inning. The Warriors scored one run at the bottom of the seventh inning, making it 6-2 Falcons. That was all the offense Sterling could muster in game 2 of this three game series.

The Falcons scored four runs in the eighth inning and two more runs in the ninth inning, finishing the game at 12-2.

Camrin Wleczyk got the start and took the loss on Senior Day. He pitched six innings, giving up four runs on six hits and striking out three batters. Gentry Bradbury gave up two runs on two hits. Tyler Duffey gave up six runs on eight hits and struck out two batters recording 4 outs. Reid Heidtbrink struck out both batters he faced.

Game Three- Sterling -2                  Friends -1

The Warriors snatched a final win against the Falcons for their Senior Day. They took an early lead and held on the rest of the way. Sterling got a run in both the first and second innings. It started with back to back walks by Morales and Rumaldo, who then stole second and third to get into scoring position. Johnson reached first on an error by the third baseman allowing Morales to score from third. Three straight outs left the Warriors stranded, but Sterling held a slim 1-0 lead after one inning of play.  

Jackson Kawelo scored in the second inning, giving the Warriors their final run of the day, and just enough for a Warrior win. It started with Boomgaarden's double, followed by a walk by Kawelo. The Falcons doubled up Keller and Boomgaarden on a liner to second base. Kawelo moved up to second on the same play as the shortstop threw the ball away attempting to the the 463 triple play on the line drive. It was on Morales' single that Kawelo scored. The inning finished with Rumaldo's strikeout, making it 2-0 for the Warriors.

The Falcons got their lone run in the sixth inning, but could do nothing more. The Warriors made sure to shut down the Falcons in the final inning, snatching the win and going 2-1 in the series with the Falcons.

Chris Issac took the complete game win on the pitcher's mound. He gave up just one run on five hits and struck out six Falcon batters. Sterling had just two hits, but it was enough to get the job done. Morales and Boomgaarden each tallied one hit. Morales and Kawelo were the two Warriors to cross the plate.

The Warriors wrap up their conference season with a final triple-header against the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles, traveling to Bartlesville, OK. for a two-day series. The first pitch is at 3 pm on Apr. 28.

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 all of the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.