Warriors Sweep Tigers in Doubleheader

Sterling, Kan.- The Sterling College Warriors swept the Central Christian Tigers in a doubleheader this week, bumping their overall record to 6-8.

Game 1- Sterling -8 Central Christian -5

The Tigers picked up four runs in the top of the second inning. The Warriors responded with four runs of their own. It started with a Makenna Linden single to right field. The bases were quickly loaded from a successful bunt by Julia Beyale and a single by Maria Casillas. Madilynn Green hit a sacrifice fly to center field to get the Warriors on the board, allowing Linden to speed her way home. After an Esperanza Ammerman ground out, Beyale and Casillas scored on a double from Sam Araiza. Araiza was followed by a triple by Alyssa Mason. Heading into the third inning, the score was deadlocked at 4.

Mason came in to pitch for the Warriors and kept the third inning short for the Tigers. It was here that the Warriors pulled ahead, scoring two more runs. Brennah Jimenez and Linden both singled. After watching back to back outs, Linden and Jimenez advanced one base each on a wild pitch. Green came up big in consecutive innings hitting a double to right center, knocking in both baserunners. The inning finished with the Warriors leading 6-4.

The Tigers got a single run in the fourth inning. Mason made quick work during the fifth inning, striking out two of the three Tiger batters. Sterling then scored a run in both the fifth and sixth inning to close things out in game 1. Sterling came away with a three run win finishing with an 8-5 win.

Allie Olivarria and Mason shared the pitcher's mound this game. Olivarria got the start pitching two innings. Olivarra gave four runs and four hits and struck out one batter. Mason pitched five innings, striking out four Tiger batters, and gave up just one run on two hits.

Game 2- Sterling -15 Central Christian -5

The Warriors then pulled off an impressive run rule against the Tigers, pulling ahead ten runs by the call of the second game. The Tigers did obtain the first two runs, but that flow was quickly stopped by a strong Warrior presence on the field.

The Warriors followed up with a run of their own in the first inning. With an out already against the Warriors, Casillas reached first on the fielder's choice, unfortunately taking Mason out at second. Casillas then reached third on a wild pitch during Jimenez's at bat. Casillas scored on a Linden single to right. The inning ended on a Beyale groundout.

It was during the second inning that the Warriors began their onslaught against the Tigers. Garber led off and walked, followed by a single from Green. Garber then scored a run on a one out Araiza's single to right field. Green scored on some base path trickery as Araiza stole second allowing Green to score from third. Mason singled to right field, then stole second. On a groundout play by Casillas, Araiza scored and Mason advanced to third. Mason scored on a while pitch by the Tigers. Jimenez singled and Linden doubled to start a bases empty rally. Jimenez and Linden both scored when the ball got past the first baseman when Beyale put the ball in play. Garber stepped up to bat again and smacked a double, allowing Beyale to score. Green then did the same thing to take her place on second base and Garber came home to score. Sterling got 8 runs in the inning and held on to a 9-2 lead after two innings of play.

With the game well in hand, Sterling added three more runs in the third and three more in the fourth after Central Christian scored three in the top of the fourth. The Warriors had a dominating 15-5 lead heading into the top of the fifth. Sterling gave up just one hit in the fifth to close things out.

Adrianna Castillo pitched the complete game against the Tigers. She gave five runs on eight hits and struck out two Tiger batters, taking the win.

The Warriors play against Missouri Valley College in their final games before conference play begins on Mar 10. The first pitch is at 2 pm. The Warriors then battle in Salina, Kan. for their first conference game against Kansa Wesleyan in a doubleheader on Mar 14, starting at 1 pm.

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.