Rio Grande Sports Information
ROSSVILLE, Ga. - Bryan (Tenn.) College started fast in game one and finished strong in game two, posting a doubleheader sweep of the University of Rio Grande, Friday afternoon, in non-conference baseball play at Ridgeland High School Stadium.
The Lions, who were among the teams receiving votes in the preseason NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll, picked up an 11-8 win in the opener and a 10-5 triumph in the nightcap.
The twinbill, which served as the season opener for both teams, was moved across state lines due to wet grounds at Bryan's Senter Field.
Game one saw the host Lions opening a big lead early with a trio of three-run innings and a fifth inning marker for a 10-1 advantage.
The RedStorm made things interesting down the stretch with two runs in the sixth, eighth and ninth innings. The potential tying run was in the on-deck circle when the game's final out was recorded.
Daniel Dryden homered, doubled and drove in four runs to lead Bryan, while Danny Marquez went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double and three RBI.
Dante Morton had three hits and three runs scored in the winning effort, while Kade Cohoon added a solo home run and Tyler Cullen drove in two runs.
Senior Angel De La Cruz (Santo Domingo, D.R.) went 4-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI to lead Rio Grande, while graduate senior AJ Thomas (Pickerington, OH) was 2-for-5 with a home run and three runs batted in.
Junior Beiker Fuentes (Crystal Lake, IL) added a pair of doubles and an RBI, senior Darius Jordan (Minford, OH) finished 2-for-4 and junior Alex Scoular (Whitby, Ontario, Canada) clubbed a solo home run in a losing cause.
Junior Justin Anaya (Brownsville, TX), the first of six RedStorm pitchers, suffered the loss after allowing seven hits and six runs - all earned - over two innings.
David Walker allowed five hits and three runs over four innings of relief to get the win for Bryan. Chris Bayne was credited with a save despite allowing three hits and a pair of runs over 1-1/3 innings.
Game two saw Rio Grande take a 4-2 lead into the home half of the sixth inning, but the Lions exploded for seven runs to grab a lead they would never relinquish.
Mason Parker and Cohoon had run-scoring hits in the uprising, while Morton delivered the big blow with a three-run triple.
Morton also homered in the win and finished with four RBI, while Parker was 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and Cullen went 3-for-4 with a double.
Clay Smith picked up the win in relief, allowing just one run over two innings despite surrendering four walks.
Sophomore Daewin Spence (Portsmouth, OH) suffered the loss, allowing four hits and seven runs - all earned - over one-plus innings.
Junior Likeiry Jimenez (Reading, PA) had two hits and two RBI for Rio, while sophomore Darwin Oleaga (Boston, MA) hit a solo home run.
The two teams were scheduled to play two more games on Saturday, but both contests were cancelled due to the forecast of more inclement weather.
