Sterling Swept by Tabor

Hillsboro, Kan.- The Warriors struggled to find some heat at the bat this past weekend, coming back to Sterling with a three losses to the Bluejays. This brings their KCAC record to 3-12 and they sit tenth in the conference.

Game One- Sterling -1                     Tabor -15

It was all Bluejays from beginning to end. Tabor scored in every inning while making it hard for the Warriors to get things going. Tabor scored 1 in the first, 5 in the second, 2 in the third and fourth innings, 1 in the fifth, and 4 in the sixth.

The Warriors gained their first and only run in the fourth inning by Ryan Speer. Speer, after reaching first on an error, advanced to second after a wild pitch and then to third after a single from Elijah Howard. Layne Thacker grounded into a double play by the Blue Jays, getting Howard out but allowing Speer to trot home scoring the only run for the Warriors. The inning finished as Dustin Chartrand struck out swinging. The Blue Jays scored two runs in the fourth inning, making the score 10-1 in favor of Tabor.

Both Andrew Mason and Chris Isaac pitched three innings apiece against the Bluejays. Mason got the start and gave up 8 runs on 9 hits. Isaac gave up 7 runs on 8 hits, allowing three homeruns as well. Mason took the loss. Sterling's stagnant offense was limited to just 3 hits on the day. One each by Luis Morales, Elijah Howard, and Dustin Chartrand.

Game Two- Sterling -5                     Tabor -10

The Warriors kicked off the second game with a tight defense and two home runs in the third inning before the Blue Jays came in. For the first and second inning, both teams were scoreless. The Warriors took the first two runs in the third inning, back-to-back home runs by Kyle Boomgaarden and Morales got Sterling on the board first. With the Warriors in a 2-0 lead, the Sterling looked to keep the attack going into the fourth inning but were kept off the bases. The Blue Jays scored one run in the fourth inning.

The fifth inning went by with a hit from each team, but no runs. The Warriors had three runs in the sixth inning, pushing the lead further from the Bluejays. It started with a double from Rumaldo, who then stole third. Rumaldo watched Johnson strike out, and Howard walked to first. It was a single by Chartrand that gave Rumaldo time to score and pushed Howard to second base. Santos struck out during his turn on the bat. The Warriors continued their attack with two outs with Thacker's double to left field, allowing Howard and Chartrand to make their around to score. The inning ended after Boomgaarden flew out to the third baseman. The Blue Jays responded with five runs during their attack, stealing the lead with a score of 6-5.

The Warriors were cut short in their attack as the Blue Jays put forth a tight defense in the seventh inning. The Blue Jays got four more runs during their time on the bat. The Warriors didn't complete a hit or run for the rest of the game, making the final score 10-5 in favor of Tabor.

Three Warriors shared the mound in this game. Camrin Wleczyk pitched six innings, giving up six runs on ten hits and delivering one strikeout. David Lira pitched a third of an inning four runs on two hits. Duffey pitched one inning, giving one hit, and struck out one Tabor batter. Wleczyk took the loss. Morales and Rumaldo each had two hits for the Warriors and Thacker led the way knocking in two runs.

Game Three- Sterling -2                  Tabor -3

Game 3 was much closer for the Warriors, keeping the lead for the majority of the game before the Bluejays snatched the win in the final inning. The first two innings remained scoreless as both teams kept a tight defense against one another. Sterling achieved their two runs in the third inning. Boomgaarden was walked, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Morales smacked a homerun, bringing in two runs for the Warriors. The Warrior's opportunities were cut after consecutive outs were made during Speer, Rumaldo, and Johnson.

The score remained 2-0 during the fourth and fifth innings, despite both teams having runners in scoring position. The Blue Jays scored a run in the sixth inning, then made quick work of the Warriors in the seventh inning. The Bluejays kicked off the inning with a home run, and then snuck in another run after a double and a pair of walks and a single completed the comeback for Tabor, stealing the win. The game finished 3-2 for Tabor, completing their third win against the Warriors.

Gentry Bradbury took the loss in this game as the Warrior's sole pitcher. He gave up three runs on six hits, but struck out five Bluejay batters. Morales was the bright spot for the Warriors knocking in the two runs. Sterling was held to just 3 hits once again.

The Warriors continue their conference play against first-ranking McPherson College on their home field, first pitch at 2 pm. The Warriors then charge against Southwestern College in a triple-header here at Sterling, starting Mar. 31.

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.