La Plata, MD – Ryan Wilson's RBI single Sunday afternoon capped a two-run fourth inning as the College of Southern Maryland beat Garrett College, 3-2, to complete a sweep of the NJCAA Division II Region 20 baseball doubleheader.
The Hawks used a nine-run first inning to top GC, 13-7, in the opener. Cody Cox, Bradley Hill, and Jimmy Estarita each had RBI hits and the Lakers committed three errors during the first-inning explosion.
"We couldn't get out of our own way in the bottom of the first," said GC head coach Eric Hallenbeck.
Erick Batista (double) went 3-for-3, Dariel Walker (two doubles, two runs, RBI) had two hits, and Colby Schmitz homered in the opener as GC collected 10 hits. The Lakers, however, committed nine errors in Game 1.
While the opener was decided early, the nightcap was a much different story. Chance Ritchey's second-inning sacrifice fly and Ammon Sanchez's fourth-inning single each produced a run as GC took a 2-1 lead.
Cox walked and Xavier Thompson singled to start CSM's fourth-inning rally. Cox went to third and Thompson reached second on a wild pitch by Schmitz. One out later, Jaden Hendricks' groundout scored Cox with the tying run.
Wilson followed with what proved to be the game-winning hit, plating Thompson to give CSM a 3-2 lead.
The Lakers tried to rally in the seventh as Ritchey and Lance Vickers earned consecutive walks to start the inning. Easton Rhoten then flew out and Jonathan Padgett's liner to third was converted into a game-ending double play by the Hawks.
Chase Bart earned the Game 2 win, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks over 5 1/3 innings. CSM relievers Rayden Deets and Thompson combined to hold GC hitless over the last 1 2/3 innings to seal the sweep.
Schmitz went the distance on the mound for GC in the nightcap, throwing a four-hitter with six strikeouts and four walks. He also had two of Garrett's four hits in Game 2.
"Colby Schmitz pitched really well for us," said Hallenbeck. "He had guys on base all six innings and just grinded it out."
GC dropped to 15-18 overall and 5-4 in Division II Region 20. CSM (10-18, 5-7) used the sweep to revive its hopes of reaching next month's regional championship tournament.
Garrett 9, PG 4
Largo, MD – Lance Vickers (home run, three runs, two RBI) and Colby Schmitz (double, two runs, RBI) each went 3-for-4 as the Lakers won Saturday's opener against Prince George's Community College.
Easton Rhoten (run) and Steven Laurence (RBI) added two hits each for the Lakers.
Brandon Metivier allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and four walks in five innings to earn the win.
Garrett 5, PG 4
Largo, MD – Angel Oquendo slammed a three-run homer as part of a four-run third as the Lakers completed Saturday's sweep.
Colby Schmitz had a second-inning solo homer for the Lakers, who built a 5-0 lead and then held on for the win.
Ethan Sebold, the second of five GC pitchers, earned the win. Alphonso Westbrook pitched a perfect seventh inning, with two strikeouts, to get his third save.
