Baseball Sweeps Trojans in Home Opening Series

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College Baseball team hosted their home opening series against the Trojans of Allegany College of Maryland on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. After completion of the series, the Statesmen moved to 3-1 overall after defeating the Trojans 12-5, 13-10, and 6-5.

In game one, Richard Bland fired on all cylinders against Allegany College of Maryland, taking down the Trojans 12-5. The Trojans got on the board in the top of the third inning after a single and a double each scored one run. Richard Bland flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the third, scoring six runs on three hits to take the lead, 6-2. Richard Bland collected 11 hits in the game. Seth Truesdale, Jordan Ramsey, Myles Holmes, and Hunter Jesse each collected two hits in the win. Holmes and Jesse each drove in three runs for the Statesmen. Richard Bland had patience at the plate, collecting 10 walks in the game. Jackson Hulcher started the game for Richard Bland. Hulcher allowed two hits and two runs over two and one-third innings, striking out one and walking three. Everett Stevens pitched three innings in relief for the Statesmen. The righty gave up one hit and zero runs while striking out five and walking two.

In game two, there were runs aplenty as the Statesmen defeated the Trojans 13-10. Richard Bland jumped out to the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Sam Gupta drew a walk, scoring one run, Seth Truesdale was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, an error scored two runs, and Connor Powell hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run. A double by Gupta extended the Richard Bland lead to 7-2 in the bottom of the second inning. Richard Bland scored five runs on zero hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Truesdale drew a walk, scoring one run, Jordan Ramsey was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, Henry Stewart was struck by a pitch, driving in one run, Hunter Jesse drew a walk, scoring one run, and a passed ball scored one run. Stewart, Michael Duncan, Ramsey, Miguel Martin, and Gupta each collected one hit for the Statesmen. Cameron Lamb paced Richard Bland with four walks. Jack Rucker stepped on the mound first for Richard Bland. The hurler allowed one hit and two runs over two innings, striking out five and walking two. Ryan Paul threw two innings of zero-run ball for Richard Bland in relief. The reliever surrendered one hit, striking out five and walking none.

In game three, Richard Bland earned the victory in a nail-biter. Richard Bland took the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the fifth thanks to singles by Henry Stewart and Jordan Ramsey. Richard Bland got out to a four-run lead in the seventh inning and held on for a 6-5 victory to close out the series. The Statesmen collected 11 hits in the game. Miguel Martin, the number nine hitter, led the way with three runs batted in. The outfielder went 2-for-4 at the plate. Connor Powell and Seth Truesdale also added two hits in the game. Keegan Mahoney led things off on the bump for the Statesmen. The left-handed pitcher gave up four hits and two runs over three innings, striking out four and walked one. Michael Keyes collected the save, and Connor Smith threw one inning of scoreless ball. David Smith earned the win for Richard Bland. The right-hander allowed one hit and zero runs over three and one-third innings, striking out three and walking none.

The Richard Bland College Baseball team next hosts Virginia Peninsula Community College on Thursday, February 13^th for a single game. First pitch is set for 5:30pm at Petersburg Sports Complex.