Warriors Sweep Panthers in Opening KCAC Series

Sterling, Kan. – Sterling baseball just completed their first series in of the KCAC conference season and came away with an early season sweep over York University. Pitching, hitting, and fielding were all put on display in this weather-lengthened series. Games 1 and 2 were played early due to cold weather arriving and game 3 was delayed a day due to the same cold stretch.

Game 1

Game 1, originally scheduled for Friday, turned into an exciting 11-inning battle. Sterling was in control early scoring the first four runs in the first three innings. York answered with four runs over the next four innings tying the game at 4 in the 7^th inning. Sterling got 1 in the 8^th and York answered right back with 1 in the 9^th and the game went into extra innings. After a few empty frames, Sterling was able to punch a run in on a Nate Heffline single that called the game to a close.

Andrew Dutro hit a 2-run homerun in the 3^rd and Albert Bisono hit a solo shot in the 8^th for Sterling. Austin Santiago had a 3-hit game to open the series. Luis Morales, Tyler Gates, Eric Beyale, and Austin Santiago each had doubles. RBIs came from Andrew Dutro (2), Andrew Mason, Nate Heffline, Albert Bisono, and Eric Beyale.

Pitching was solid from Sterling with David Lira striking out 10 in 5 innings after getting the start. Tyler Duffey pitched solid but gave up 3 runs over 2  innings. Trent Canaan pitched four innings in relief and gave up just one run that was not earned and came away with the win. Sterling won the game 6-5 in 11-innings.

Game 2

Sterling took control in a 6-run third inning and never looked back. Albert Bisono hit a grand slam which accounted for four of the six runs. Sterling added 4 more runs in the 5^th, two came from a 2-run homerun by Andrew Dutro who had a spectacular catch in left field that robbed a York player of a homerun. Sterling coasted to an 11-6 victory in the second game of the day.

The top three hitters in the Warrior lineup, Luis Morales, Tyler Gates, and Dutro, combined for 7 hits and 5 RBIs. Bisono took advantage of his one hit knocking in 4 runs in one swing of the bat. Morales and Gates each had doubles and Dutro and Bisono each hit homeruns. RBIs went to Tyler Gates (2), Andrew Dutro (3), Nate Heffline, Nicholas Keller, and Albert Bisono (4).Sterling was also aggressive on the basepaths with four stolen bases.

Andrew Mason got the start but did not qualify for the win. Ryan Speer got the win.

Game 3

The third game of this series was played Sunday afternoon and was a great contest until Sterling opened things up in the 6^th inning. The Warriors scored 6 runs in the sixth to put the game out of reach. After York scored a couple of runs late, the final read 8-4 on the scoreboard.

Only Bisono and Keller had multiple hits in the game. Sterling sent 11 batters to the plate in the big sixth inning scoring 6 runs on 4 hits and taking advantage of 4 walks as well. The scoring onslaught started with a leadoff walk that was followed up by a Morales homerun. Gates, Mason, and Bisono each had a double in today's contest. Keller hit his first triple of the season, and Luis Morales had his second homerun of the season. RBIs were hit by Luis Morales (2), Andrew Mason, Nicholas Keller, Albert Bisono, Austin Santiago (2).

Cipriano Rivera got the start and pitched a solid four and two-thirds innings striking out 7. Trent Canaan came in in relief and gave up 2 runs in four and one-third innings of play. Canaan earned the win in the contest, his second win of the series.

Sterling returns to action on Tuesday at Oklahoma City University. They are currently on a 5-game win streak. The team will return home on Friday and Saturday for a 3-game KCAC series against Bethany College.

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.