March 13, 2010

RedStorm baseball wins series at Lindsey Wilson

Columbia, Ky. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm baseball team won both games of a doubleheader on Saturday at Lindsey Wilson to take the series three games to one. Rio won game one, 12-8 and topped the Blue Raiders in the second game, 7-2.

Senior designated hitter Chris Mahon (Hamilton, OH) continued his torrid hitting, going 3-for-4 with a triple and four RBI's. Senior third baseman Tyler Schunk (Cincinnati, OH) went 3-for-5 with a double and knocked in two runs. Senior catcher Tyler Plumpton (Peterborough, ONT) was 1-for-4 and had two RBI's and senior rightfielder John Storey (Wheelersburg, OH) was 0-for-2 but had two RBI's.

Junior shortstop Brad Konrad (Maumee, OH) contributed two hits to the Rio offense while junior leftfielder Michael Lynch (Lyndhurst, OH), senior centerfielder Ryan Yakura (Pickering, ONT) and junior Brandon Lay (Columbus, OH) all tallied one hit in the game. 

Freshman Ryan Robertson (Waverly, OH) battled for 5 2/3 innings and was able to keep his record unblemished on the young season. Robertson (4-0) scattered 11 hits and allowed eight runs, including two home runs. He did manage to record six strikeouts in the game. Schunk came on to record his second save of the season. He pitched the final 1 1/3 innings and had one strikeout. 

In game two, Rio put together 11 hits and it was Plumpton who had the big game. Plumpton went 4-for-5 and knocked in three runs. Among his hits were a two-run home run and an RBI double. 

Junior first baseman Francisco Ramirez (Columbus, OH) was 1-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs and junior second baseman Christian Frias (Salinas, PR) went hitless (0-for-2) but managed an RBI. 

Lynch notched two hits while Schunk, Yakura, sophomore Derek Green (Bean Station, TN) and freshman Joe Stolpa (Galloway, OH) all recorded one hit each.

Schunk (2-2) picked up the win in relief for the RedStorm (14-3, 3-1 MSC). Schunk was perfect for 3 2/3 innings, striking out six batters. 

"That was a good series for us," said Rio Grande head coach Brad Warnimont. "We had timely hitting today."

Warnimont was impressed with the job Schunk did on the hill. "He was lights out, his change-up was un-hittable," he said. "He had them baffled." 

Lindsey Wilson falls to 8-7 on the season and 1-3 in MSC play. 

Rio Grande heads to Florida for the annual spring trip and gets started with Grand View on Sunday. Game time is set for 3 p.m. Stretch Internet provides play-by-play coverage beginning at 2:55 p.m.