Game One l Game Two
BABSON PARK, Fla. – The no. 20 Warner University baseball team split with rival Webber International University on Saturday afternoon as part of a non-conference doubleheader. The Warriors took game one with a 1-0 victory and the Royals captured game two by an 8-7 final. The split puts the Royals at 2-1 on the young season while the Warriors open their season at 1-1.
Game One – In game one action, three Webber International pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter. The Royals could not muster any offense in a game that took only an hour and forty five minutes to complete. The Royals had runners on first and third with two outs in the first inning but were unable to come away with any runs.
Starter A.J. Holbeck was charged with the loss (0-1) as he went three innings allowing only one run on four hits, while striking out four. Freshman pitcher Jeff Jacobsen saw his first game action of the season going two innings giving up only one hit and recording two strikeouts.
Game Two – The Royals would bounce back in a big way, pounding out 14 hits in game two in route to an 8-7 victory. Six Royals posted multi-hit performances. Freshman Jose Henao got the Royals’ first hit on the day with a second inning single. He finished the game 2-3. All-Conference First baseman Dan Smith led the Royals going 2-2 with a double and three runs scored. He also added two walks putting him on base four times in four trips to the plate.
All-Conference catcher Cory Johnson had a break through game going 2-2 with two RBIs and a run scored. Shortstop Tyler Richardson recorded back to back singles in the 5th and 6th innings as the Royals pushed six runs across between the two innings. Richardson would finish 2 for 4 on the day with two RBIs.
On the mound, Brett Stanton notched his first victory of the season (1-0) going three innings allowing just one run on two hits. Kendal Sherrouse, Aaron Kehres, Dan Fantini and Anthony Machado all saw action on the mound for the Royals. Machdao was called on to close the game in the 7th inning with the tying run 90 feet away. Carlo Gallucio would strike out looking for the last out of the game.
The Royals’ next action comes on Tuesday night, Feb. 2, when they travel to Lakeland to play NCAA-II #2 Florida Southern College in a 7 p.m. matchup at Henley Field.