March 15, 2010

RedStorm baseball splits with Olivet Nazarene

Ormond Beach, Fl. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm baseball team gained a split of a doubleheader versus Olivet Nazarene on Monday. Rio Grande won the first game, 4-1 behind the outstanding pitching of senior Tyler Schunk. The RedStorm dropped the second game by a score of 7-3.

Rio Grande (16-4), with the first game victory, won for the fifth consecutive time. Schunk (3-1) fired a two-hitter and struck out seven Olivet batters. The lone run that Schunk surrendered was a solo home run in the sixth inning that made the score 2-1 in favor of Rio Grande.

Schunk made amends in the seventh inning when he launched a two-home run to give the RedStorm a three-run cushion. 

In addition to his outstanding pitching effort, Schunk had a big day at the plate as he went 2-for-4 with three RBI's. 

Senior centerfielder Ryan Yakura (Pickering, ONT) led Rio Grande with a 3-for-4 day at the plate. One of Yakura's hits was a double. Junior shortstop Brad Konrad (Maumee, OH) went 2-for-4 with a double and a triple.

Junior leftfielder Michael Lynch (Lyndhurst, OH), junior first baseman Francisco Ramirez (Columbus, OH) and junior second baseman Christian Frias (Salinas, PR) all had one hit each for the RedStorm.

Rio fell victim to some shaky defense in the second game as Olivet Nazarene (8-5-1) scored four unearned runs in the fourth inning to take the lead for good. 

Sophomore Ryan Chapman (Racine, OH) started and lost for Rio Grande. Chapman (3-3) was chased from the mound after 3 1/3 innings on the hill. Freshman Eric Ford (Chagrin Falls, OH) did a nice job for Rio Grande in relief, pitching 2 1/3 innings and allowing only one unearned run. 

Senior catcher Tyler Plumpton (Peterborough, ONT) went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double. Schunk was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Senior rightfielder John Storey (Wheelersburg, OH) was 1-for-3 and drove in a run and Frias recorded the other Rio RBI, despite going 0-for-3.

Lynch had a double and Konrad and Yakura also notched base hits for Rio Grande. 

Rio is 2-1 on the spring trip.

The RedStorm are back in action on Tuesday against Grand View. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. Rio defeated Grand View, 11-3 on Sunday. 

Stretch Internet will have play-by-play coverage beginning at 1:55 p.m.