JACKSON, Tenn. -- So far so good. That's the mentality in Wabash Valley College after opening their season on a high note and justifying their No. 1 preseason ranking.
They traveled to Jackson, Tenn. to face Jackson State Community College in a doubleheader on Saturday (Feb. 9). They swept the Greenjays by defeating Jackson State 3-0 in the first game and 15-0 in the second game of the day.
The Warriors received excellent outings from their pitchers in their doubleheader opener, who allowed a combined five hits in the 17 IP between the two games.
Sophomore right-hander Ryan O'Connell threw five frames of two hit baseball, while striking out six and picking up the win in the first game. Freshman righty picked up the save and closed it out in a two strikeout, scoreless ninth inning. Three freshmen each picked up an RBI for the Warriors. Zade Richardson went 2-4 with a double and an RBI, Manny Gonzalez also hit 2-4 with an RBI, and Ole Arntson went 1-3 with an RBI.
In game two Antoine Kelly highlighted the Warriors pitching with 3 1/3 innings pitched. The freshman southpaw struck out eight of 12 batters faced and allowed just one hit.
WVC's hitters capitalized on their runners in scoring position in game two, posting an efficient 15 hit, 15 runs scored hitting performance. Sophomores Brian Fuentes and Noah Myers highlighted the Warriors hitting, posting a 3-4 performance with three RBIs and 1-3 with two RBIs respectively.
With two games experience under their belt, the Warriors (2-0) will head to Hanceville, Ala. to take on Wallace State Community College on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 16 and 17). The Lions enter the four-game series with a 1-1 record.
First pitch will come at approximately 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. for Saturday's games, with Sunday's games beginning at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. as well.
WVC pitching game one: O'Connell 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K, Tullar 3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 5 K, Weins 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 Ks, Save.
WVC notable hitting game one: Wilson 1-5, 2B, Rivera 1-4, 2B, Richardson 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, Gonzalez 2-4, 1 RBI, Arntson 1-3, 1 RBI.
WVC pitching game two: Beymer 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K, Kelly 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 8 K, Samuelson 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K, King 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K, Payne 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER.
WVC notable hitting game two: Fuentes 3-4, 2B, 3 RBIs, Myers 1-3, 1 R, 2 RBIs, Scheumann 1-2, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBIs, Baker 1-3, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 RBIs, Sykes 3-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, Pinales 1-2, 3 R, 3 BB, 1 RBI, Arntson 1-2, 1 RBI, Liebert 1-1, 1 RBI, Sanchez 1-1, 1 R, 1 RBI.