February 13, 2010

RedStorm baseball starts season in big way

Dayton, Tn. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm baseball team began the 2010 season with a 15-3 victory over Bryan College on Friday night. The game was shortened to seven innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.

Rio Grande (1-0) scored first when senior catcher Tyler Plumpton (Peterborough, ONT) led off the game with a solo home run. Plumpton was 1-for-4 on the day.

Junior pitcher Angel Santiago (Santa Isabel, PR) started the game for the RedStorm and lasted three innings. He gave three runs in the fourth inning before being pulled, trailing by a 3-1 score.

The Rio bats came alive in the fifth inning, scoring three runs to take a 4-3 lead and then erupted for 11 runs in the sixth inning.

Junior shortstop Brad Konrad (Maumee, OH) was the top offensive player for Rio Grande. He went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles and four RBI's. Junior second baseman Christian Frias (Salinas, PR) added two hits with a double and three RBI's. 

Junior Michael Lynch (Lyndhurst, OH) went 1-for-3 and drove in a run, senior centerfielder Ryan Yakura (Pickering, ONT) was 1-for-2 and scored three runs while junior first baseman Francisco Ramirez (Columbus, OH) produced two RBI's despite going 0-for-3 at the plate. 

Senior outfielders Chris Mahon (Hamilton, OH) and John Storey (Wheelersburg, OH) also had hits in the game. 

Sophomore Ryan Chapman (Racine, OH) picked up the victory in relief for the RedStorm. Chapman (1-0) pitched three scoreless, hitless innings. Freshman Mark Parent (New Albany, OH) pitched a scoreless seventh. 

Rio and Bryan College (3-2) will square off again today with a doubleheader.  The first game is set to begin at 1 p.m. Stretch Internet will have play-by-play coverage beginning at 12:55 p.m.