Baseball Takes One From Trojans

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College Baseball team traveled to Bryant & Stratton College (VA) on Wednesday, April 16^th, and hosted the Trojans of Fayetteville Technical Community College on Friday, April 18^th and Saturday, April 19^th for their second, three-game conference series. After completion of the games, the Statesmen moved to 21-21 overall, 12-17 in conference play after galling to the Bobcats 13-5, and dropping game one to the Trojans 5-16, winning game two 3-2, and dropping game three 7-17. With the game two win over the Trojans, the Statesmen have continued to surpass a program record of most wins in a season, now at 21, and will look to continue adding onto the record the remainder of the season.

In the game on Wednesday against the Bobcats, Richard Bland couldn't keep up and fell 5-15. Richard Bland got on the board in the top of the second inning after Sam Gupta singled to center field, and Henry Stewart hit a sacrifice fly, each scoring one run. Bryant & Stratton tied the game in the bottom of the third thanks to a solo home run to left field, and a double. A single by Carson Herod gave Richard Bland the lead, 3-2, in the top of the fifth. A home run gave the Bobcats the lead, 3-5 in the bottom of the fifth. Jordan Ramsey hit a solo home run to center field in the top of the sixth for Richard Bland. The Bobcats scored five runs on three hits in the bottom of the eighth. Marco Cafaro took the loss for Richard Bland. The pitcher went one inning, giving up three runs on two hits, striking out none and walking none. Connor Smith started the game for the Statesmen. The righty gave up two hits and zero runs over one inning, striking out one and walking one.

In game one against the Trojans, Richard Bland struggled to stay in the game and fell 5-16. Fayetteville Tech got on the board in the top of the second inning after two solo home runs, a double, and a single. The Trojans scored on run in the top of the sixth on another solo home run. The Trojans scored eight runs on three hits in the top of the ninth. Keegan Mahoney and Macho Santiago were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits for Richard Bland while hitting back-to-back. Mahoney, Santiago, and Miguel Martin each drove in one run for the Statesmen. David Smith took the loss for Richard Bland. The hurler went two innings, surrendering five runs on eight hits, striking out three and walking none.

In game two against the Trojans, Richard Bland took the nightcap in dramatic fashion, with a 3-2 walk-off victory over the Trojans. The game was tied at two in the bottom of the tenth when Jordan Ramsey singled, scoring one run. Both teams were strong on the hill. Richard Bland pitchers struck out nine, with Fayetteville Tech sat down three. Richard Bland was the first to get on the board in the second when Carson Seely doubled, scoring one run. In the bottom of the sixth, Sam Gupta lined out, helping Richard Bland tie the game at two. Luke Sweeney earned the win for Richard Bland. The hurler gave up three hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out one and walking none. Jackson Hulcher started the game for Richard Bland. The starter allowed five hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking three.

In game three against the Trojans, both teams put up a bunch of runs, but Richard Bland fell 7-17. The Trojans collected 15 hits while the Statesmen had eight. Fayetteville Tech got on the board in the first inning after a home run to center field scored three runs. The Trojans added to their early lead in the second inning when a home run, two singles, and a sacrifice fly each scored one run. Richard Bland scored five runs on five hits in the bottom of the second inning. Carson Herod singled, scoring one run, Macho Santiago homered to center field, scoring three runs, and Connor Powell grounded out, scoring one run. Nate Riggs took the loss for Richard Bland. The hurler went one inning, giving up three runs on two hits, striking out none and walking two.

The Richard Bland College Baseball team next hosts Bryant & Stratton College (VA) on Wednesday, April 23^rd for a single, nine-inning conference game. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30pm.