ARNOLD, Md. – The Anne Arundel Community College split a Sunday doubleheader with visiting Orange County Community College at Skip Brown Field. AACC's comeback fell short in the opener, as the Mustangs held on for an 11-10 win. In the second game, the Riverhawks rallied past the Mustangs for an 11-8 victory.
Evan Birch went 5-for-6 on the day with a double and three RBI. The Riverhawks saw three players hit triples; Jack Woods and Sam Ross hit back-to-back triples in the bottom of the fifth inning of game two, which pushed the Riverhawks ahead in the game. Tyler Fleshman hit the other three-bagger, a two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth of game one that got AACC within one run.
The Riverhawks combined for 12 stolen bases on the day, led by four from Ross.
Mason Barrall picked up the win in the second game with two innings of relief work. Nolan Spring picked up his first save of the season, striking out two batters in the seventh inning as part of a two-inning appearance.
Game One
The Colts scored three runs in each of the first three innings and tacked on two more in the fourth. AACC scored four runs in the second and fourth innings, and scored a pair of runs on a Fleshman triple in the sixth.
Reliever Austin Ferreira retired the Colts in order in the seventh and the Riverhawks had a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh, but the final batter struck out to end the rally.
Starter Caden Houck took the loss with six runs (five earned) on six hits with two strikeouts and a walk through two innings. Rex Landis came on in the third, allowing five runs on four hits with three walks. Ferreira threw three no-hit innings, striking out two.
Game Two
AACC batted around in the first inning, scoring six runs on four hits to erase a 3-0 Orange lead. The Colts added one run in the second off an errant throw to make it 6-4 in favor of AACC.
The Riverhawks scored one run in the fourth on an Evan Birch double before giving up the lead in the fifth when Orange scored four runs on three hits and an error.
AACC retook the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs on back-to-back triples from Woods and Ross.
Spring took the mound in the sixth and induced a groundout with two runners on to end Orange's threat. Three consecutive walks loaded the bases for the Riverhawks in the bottom of the inning, seeing one run come across on a wild pitch and another on a Woods infield single.
After giving up a double to lead off the seventh, Spring fanned two of the next three batters and Ross caught a long fly ball in center to seal the deal.
Rocco Dietz had the start for AACC, allowing four runs on four hits while striking out four through three innings. Barrall picked up the win to move to 1-1 on the season and Spring recorded his first career save.
AACC opens NJCAA Region 20 divisional action on Friday in a 12 p.m. doubleheader at CCAC. The Riverhawks return to Skip Brown Field on Sunday, March 2, to host Cecil in an 11 a.m. divisional doubleheader.