Baseball Falls in Region-Opening DH

The Virginia Peninsula Community College baseball team started Region 10 play Feb. 1, by dropping a doubleheader to Caldwell Community College at War Memorial Stadium.

In the opener, Cole Draper (York High School) hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to bring the Gators within two, but they fell 6-4. VPCC (4-9) had the tying run at the plate but a groundout and two strikeouts ended the game. Pitcher Joshua Flicek (Bethel) held the Cobras to one earned run in the final 2 1/3 innings.

The second game wasn't as close as the Gators fell 26-4, giving up 17 runs in the final two innings. Cameron Byers (Christchurch) had two hits, one an RBI single. Sean Burns (Woodside) also drove in a run with a single.

Earlier in the week, the Gators posted a 16-8 win over host Bryant & Stratton for their second consecutive win.

Draper's two-run single highlighted a six-run first inning for the Gators. Hayden Koontz (Hermitage) and Jose Rojas (Orlando, Fla.) added run-scoring singles in the second to stretch the lead to 8-0. Tony Soriano's (Battlefield) two-run homer was the big blow in a three-run sixth.

For the game, Rojas and Soriano each had two of the Gators' 12 hits. Soriano also drove in three runs. Koontz had one hit and two RBI. Ryan Bevins (Celina, Texas), Burns, Byers and Rojas each scored twice.

On the mound, Anthony Tortorice (Catholic High School) went the first three innings, giving up one hit and one run. He struck out six. Coles Williams (Hermitage) pitched a scoreless inning, striking out three.

The Gators don't return home until Saturday, March 14, against Camp Community College. The doubleheader at War Memorial Stadium starts at noon.

For more information on the College, visit www.vpcc.edu.