March 27, 2010

RedStorm finish off sweep of Cumberlands

Williamsburg, Ky. --- It's beginning to look like a special season for the University of Rio Grande RedStorm baseball team. Rio Grande increased its current winning streak to 11 straight with a doubleheader sweep of the University of the Cumberlands on Saturday. Rio won the first game, 7-3 and captured game two by a 6-2 score.

Rio Grande (27-4, 11-1 MSC) came from behind to win game one thanks to a five-run fourth inning. The RedStorm trailed 2-1 entering the frame and by the time the inning ended they had surged ahead, 6-2. 

Cumberlands (14-17, 1-10 MSC) actually out-hit Rio Grande 11-10 but failed to get the key hits as the Patriots stranded 12 runners in the game. 

Junior second baseman Christian Frias (Salinas, PR) was the top offensive player for Rio Grande. He went 2-for-3 and knocked in three runs. Senior third baseman Tyler Schunk (Cincinnati, OH) was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Senior designated hitter Chris Mahon (Hamilton, OH) was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Senior catcher Tyler Plumpton (Peterborough, ONT) and senior centerfielder Ryan Yakura (Pickering, ONT) both added RBI hits for the RedStorm. Yakura also scored two runs. 

Cumberlands had four players register two hits each. 

Junior Angel Santiago (Santa Isabel, PR) went five innings to remain unbeaten on the season. Santiago (4-0) scattered 11 hits and allowed only two earned runs while striking out one and walking one.   Sophomore Ryan Chapman (Racine, OH) kept the Patriots off the scoreboard over the final two innings. 

Adam Blanton (2-3) took the loss for Cumberlands. Blanton lasted three innings, giving up five runs and five hits with three strikeouts and two walks. 

Rio jumped out early in the second game, scoring all six runs in the first three innings. Rio had 11 hits in game two. 

Junior leftfielder Michael Lynch (Cleveland, OH) paced the Rio offense with a 3-for-4 performance, including a double, a run scored and an RBI. Junior shortstop Brad Konrad (Maumee, OH) was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI's and Schunk continued his unbelievable hot streak, going 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a run knocked in. 

Mahon and Frias also recorded RBI hits for the RedStorm. 

Freshman southpaw Ryan Robertson (Waverly, OH) went six innings to pick up the win. Robertson (7-0) scattered seven hits and allowed two runs with three strikeouts and four walks. 

Chapman pitched a scoreless seventh inning to record his fourth save of the season. 

Cumberlands starter Sean Mahley (4-1) was chased from the mound after the second inning. Rio touched him up for five runs and eight hits. 

Rio Grande will step out of conference on Monday for a single game versus Ohio Valley University in Parkersburg, WV. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Stretch Internet will have play-by-play coverage beginning at 6:55 p.m.