WARRIORS SPLIT GAMES WITH MICHIGAN-DEARBORN; LARUE SETS PROGRAM HOME RUN RECORD

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - An eclipse wasn't the only thing getting people at Bill Shinsky Field to look into the sky on Monday afternoon, as Warrior first baseman Jack LaRue hit three home runs during Rochester Christian's (9-27, 1-17) doubleheader with Michigan-Dearborn (3-27, 1-17) to break the Warriors' single-season home run record with nine. The Warriors and Wolverines split games during the day, with the Warriors taking the first game in high-scoring fashion. 

GAME ONE - W, 9-1

LaRue did most of his damage in the first game of the day, hitting two home runs, including the Warriors' first score in the second inning. Junior Kyle Shagena added to the tally with a sacrifice fly for Cameron Tupper to put the lead at 2-0. LaRue was also busy at the mound, starting as pitcher for the Warriors for the contest and setting up a double play in the third inning. 

The senior wasn't done yet, smashing a home run deep into left field with two runners on to expand the lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Despite a Michigan-Dearborn run at the top of the sixth, the Warriors' momentum hit its peak at the bottom with four scored runs. The Warriors loaded up the bases, giving Raymond Perez and Lucas Bateman RBI opportunities. Relief pitcher Trace Hudson entered for the final inning, securing both a double play and ground out to close it out. 

GAME TWO - L, 11-12

Things continued to trend up for the Warriors in the first inning when the Warriors scored two runs on a throwing error before Aidan Alspaugh tacked two more with a two-RBI home run to set up a 4-0 lead. However, the Wolverines produced an explosive third inning with six runs to snatch the lead. Bateman joined the home run party in the bottom of the fourth, following up a Perez RBI with a bomb to left field. Up next was LaRue, who nailed another home run to the home crowd's delight. 

The final four innings saw the teams trade runs, beginning with two from the visitors to tie the game in the sixth. Bateman hit an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth, but there was work to do for the Warriors after conceding three runs across the seventh and eighth innings. LaRue gave the Warriors another chance with an RBI double before Alspaugh logged another RBI shortly after. Unfortunately for the Warriors, a crucial top-ninth stop didn't set up a tying or winning run for a 2-0 day. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors travel to Livonia to face the Madonna Crusaders on Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RCU Athletics