Babson Park, FL – The 12th-ranked Webber Warriors opened Sun Conference play with a top 15 matchup against the Ave Maria Gyrenes. WIU took game one in a 12-2 run rule. AMU struck first in game two but were unsuccessful as Webber took the 9-6 win.
GAME ONE: 2RBI SINGLE FOR CRUZ SECURES THE RUN-RULE WIN OVER THE #15 GYRENES
Blayne Huter got hits fourth start of the season as he pitched six complete innings and only allowed two runs off four hits and two walks. Ian Kalman dominated the Gyrenes as he went 4-for-5 with three runs and one RBI. Ryan Recio and Camren Carroll each had one RBI off of three and two hits respectively. Five additional Warriors brought in runs in the victory over AMU.
After two scoreless innings, Joseph Becker brought a run in on a fielder's choice to give the Warriors an early 1-0 lead. The Gyrenes responded with a run of their own before a sac fly for Bryan Morales put Webber ahead.
A lead off single from Richard Rodriguez got things rolling in the bottom of the 5th inning. A hit-by-pitch and a walk loaded the bases before a Brodey Neveker single brought in two runners. Ian Kalman followed suit with a single to bring around Becker to make it a 5-1 ball game. Ryan Recio and Bryan Morales had back-to-back RBIs as the Warriors extended their lead to six. AMU managed another run before the Warriors got the third out in the sixth.
Kalman singled once again which set up Tyren Milliner for a two-run homerun to make it 9-2. Hunter Youngblood came in relief in the top of the 7th and managed two more scoreless innings for the Gyrenes.
A single from Camren Carroll brought in one run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Gabriel Cruz walked off the run-rule win with a two-run RBI to make it 12-2.
GAME TWO: RECIO AND MILLINER SECURE WIN OVER 15TH-RANKED GYRENES
Brayden Matthews got the game two start as he pitched 4.1 innings, struck out four batters, and only allowed three runs on six hits. Seth Lovell came in for relief as he saw 2.2 innings and struck out three batters.
Tyren Milliner and Ryan Recio led the Warriors offense as they both went 1-for-2. Milliner sent a ball to the lake for a 5th inning grand slam. Recio scored three with a two-out triple in the 4th inning.
The Gyrenes struck first with two runs in the top of the second inning as the score remained 2-0 until the bottom of the 4th. A walk and two hit-by-pitches loaded the bases with no outs before Recio's triple gave the Warriors the 3-2 lead. Recio then scored on a passed ball to extent the lead to two. AMU responded with a run in the top of the fifth inning to make it 4-3.
Milliner's grand slam put the Warriors ahead five in the bottom of the fifth before a wildpitch scored Deven Tedders in the bottom of the 6th to make it 9-3.
AMU battled to score three runs in the top of the seventh inning, but were unable to send the game into extras as Lovell struck out the last batter to seal the 9-6 win.
Webber Baseball will be back on the diamond tomorrow, March 1st as they are set to finish the series against the #15 Gyrenes. First pitch is set for 1 PM.
