West Mifflin, PA – Sophomore outfielder Brandyn Gonzalez went 5-for-7 and drove in seven runs Sunday afternoon as Garrett College swept host Community College Allegheny County-South, 9-6 and 12-1.
Gonzalez had a pair of two-run homers in the opener and then went 3-for-4 with three RBI in the nightcap as the Lakers (4-1) improved to 3-1 in NJCAA Division II Region 20.
"Any time you can sweep a region doubleheader on the road, it's always nice," said Garrett head coach Eric Hallenbeck.
The Lakers took the lead for good in the opener on Angel Oquendo's two-run, fifth-inning double.
"We faced a tough lefty [Zack Karp] in the first game, but we stayed the course and finally got to him," said Hallenbeck.
Noah Broadwater had three hits for GC and Tristan Kenzevich contributed two hits in the opener.
Garrett starter Bryce Madden struck out seven while yielding two runs over 4 2/3 innings. Dale Boone picked up his second save with a perfect seventh inning.
Hunter Dakan earned his first collegiate win in the nightcap, allowing a run on three hits with four strikeouts and three walks in five innings.
"Hunter challenged hitters, was around the plate, and had some pretty good defense behind him," said Hallenbeck. "He let his defense make plays."
The Lakers took advantage of 10 walks issued by a total of five Wildcat pitchers in Game 2.
Wyatt Slocum had two hits, including a solo homer, and Broadwater contributed a two-run double in the nightcap. The Lakers have slammed 11 homers in just five games this season.
"We hit 33 home runs all last year," observed Hallenbeck. "I thought we could hit for some power, but not to this extent, this early."
Gonzalez was 7-for-12 with four homers, nine RBI, and seven runs scored in the four region games against CCAC-South and CCBC-Catonsville.
GC 8, Catonsville 7
Catonsville 9, GC 8
Catonsville, MD – Tristan Kenzevich slammed a three-run, go-ahead homer as part of a four-run fourth inning, and Brandyn Gonzalez hit a pair of solo shots in last Tuesday's opener as the Lakers split the doubleheader with CCBC-Catonsville.
"Our guys were looking for their pitch. When they got it, they didn't miss it," said GC head coach Erick Hallenbeck, whose squad hit five homers in the opener.
Catonsville edged the Lakers in the nightcap as five Garrett pitchers combined to issue a dozen walks, including three with the bases loaded. Garrett pitchers also uncorked five wild pitches and hit two batters.
"Early in the year, our pitchers were trying to do a little bit too much and be a little bit too fine instead of raring back, throwing it and challenging hitters," said Hallenbeck.
GC starter Stefan Machkovski walked in the tying run and reliever Parker Ferraro forced in the go-ahead run as part of a four-run third as the Cardinals took the lead for good.
Garrett overcame 3-0 and 4-1 deficits to win the opener. The Lakers took the lead for good with their four-run fourth and squelched a seventh-inning rally to nail down the win.
Jonathan Padgett (2-for-4) and Christian Harrington also hit homers for the Lakers in the opener. Kenzevich had two hits in GC's seven-hit attack.
GC sophomore pitcher Ethan Sebold, who won on opening day, lasted just 2/3 of an inning in the Catonsville opener as he yielded three runs on four hits. Winning pitcher Gregory Eddy (five strikeouts, one walk) allowed just a run on one hit with five strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings, giving the Lakers a chance to get back in the game.
Dale Boone earned the save as he struck out six with one walk, allowing three runs on two hits while pitching the final four innings. Boone yielded two seventh-inning runs, one on a wild pitch, as Catonsville pulled within 8-7, but struck out pinch hitter Clark Corlew to end the game with the tying run on first.
Nelson Grajales had a double and two RBI to lead the Cardinals in the opener.
GC erased a 1-0 deficit in the nightcap as Wyatt Slocum hit a solo homer and Angel Oquendo (3-for-4, double, two runs, three RBI) slammed a two-run shot off Catonsville starter Chase Kamerman in the top of the third. The Cardinals, however, responded with their four-run third to take the lead for good.
Kamerman earned the pitching victory despite yielding five runs on six hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings. Jaedan Kelley had two of Catonsville's five hits and scored three times.
Harrington and Slocum (two runs) each went 2-for-3 and drove in a run for Garrett in Game 2.
Hallenbeck wasn't totally satisfied with the split.
"We had a great opportunity to get a sweep on the road," said Hallenbeck. "When we have an opportunity like that, we have to take advantage of it."
