WARRIORS SPLIT SERIES WITH BRESCIA (KY)

OWENSBORO, Ky. - It was an even weekend for the Warriors (4-6) and Brescia Bearcats (4-12), with Rochester taking games one and three. In the wins, the Warriors capitalized on some explosive innings to help get enough separation from the hosts. 

GAME ONE - W, 5-4

Rochester halted a late comeback effort by the Bearcats in the inaugural matchup, utilizing a massive third inning with four runs scored. Rochester's first two innings were underwhelming, ending quickly, while the Bearcats scored on an RBI single in the first inning. In the blink of an eye, Rochester made a turnaround, beginning with singles from Lucas Bateman and Donovan Galovich. After advancing on a sacrifice fly, the pair were rewarded for their efforts by Jack LaRue, who doubled to right center and got them home. 

It was an inning of giving, with Aiden Alspaugh then hitting LaRue home with an RBI double to right field. Jayden Peterson filled in for Alspaugh as a pinch runner, making his mark with a run home from second base off another double from Brendan DeFlorio. Defensively, Rochester went on a roll for the next few innings, with Alspaugh quick-scoping a runner at first base to get a critical out in the third inning. After going scoreless in the fourth, Rochester returned the favor to Brescia with formidable fielding play, getting the hosts quickly out with groundouts. 

In the fifth inning, the momentum continued as Raymond Perez III got on base with a single, eventually running in after a flyout. On the mound, Ryan Polega struck out two batters swinging to get onto the next inning. The Bearcats found a stride in the sixth inning, scoring three quick runs to threaten the Warriors. However, Rochester pulled off a clutch double play thanks to a connection from Bateman, Nick Czajka, and Tony Grazioli. Rochester secured the last out to ensure the victory. 

GAME TWO - L, 3-5

Rochester started strong in the second game but couldn't sustain it in the later innings. Bateman hit an RBI single to get Galovich home in the first inning, and Rochester secured three quick outs to keep the lead. Another run came in the third inning, where Perez III stole second base to set up an RBI single by LaRue. Reese Ungvarsky joined in on the next inning, reaching home after a hit up the middle by Jake Nuttall.

Unfortunately for Rochester, the Bearcats started to get the bats cracking, hitting five runs across the next two innings to steal back the lead. Rochester couldn't answer back, striking out swinging in the sixth inning before quickly running out of gas in the seventh.

GAME THREE - W, 14-5

It was a party at home plate for the Warriors in the third installment, with four players - Perez III, LaRue, Alspaugh, and DeFlorio - getting two RBIs each during the contest. After looking dead in the water in the first inning, conceding three runs, Rochester caught fire in the second, scoring five big ones. Rochester made it big on errors by the Bearcats, with Grazioli and Czajka being the first beneficiaries, thanks to a fielding error. The Warriors loaded the bases up thanks to errors, and Luke Jayaraman, Bateman, and Perez III got to waltz home thanks to walks. 

The third inning was more of the same for the Warriors, as Galovich opened the door for Grazioli to reach home plate again. Bateman joined Galovich on the bases, and Galovich scored shortly after, thanks to a passed ball. LaRue ensured the two could meet again in the dugout with a hit to right field that sent Bateman home. Another error by the Bearcats in the fourth inning would set up DeFlorio for his own score. 

The Warriors scored five runs in the final three innings. Jayaraman reached second base to get things started and would have a safe trip back home after Perez III lined up a missile for a home run. The next inning was another homecoming for DeFlorio, brought in thanks to a single up the middle by Nuttall. Alspaugh and DeFlorio singled to get Perez III and Mason Young tickets to home plate to cap it off. 

GAME FOUR - L, 2-7

A brutal first inning made it difficult for Rochester to climb back into the game, as the team conceded six runs to the hosts. In the second inning, Nuttall provided a much-needed answer, singling for an RBI for Ungvarsky. It was a quiet few innings from there, as neither team could score until Brescia did so in the sixth inning. Despite the score allowed, Verle Gilbert put on a strong pitching showing with five strikeouts in two innings. Perez III was the final home runner of the weekend, as LaRue singled up the middle in the seventh inning. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors will pack up and begin the trip down to Orlando for spring break, facing Cincinatti-Clermont along the way on Saturday, March 2. 

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: RU Baseball