The Oglethorpe baseball team notched their 20th win of the season Thursday evening with a doubleheader sweep over Rust at Anderson Field, defeating the visiting Bearcats 15-1 in five innings in Game 1 and 10-0 in six innings in Game 2. It marks the first time that the program has reach the 20-win plateau since 1997.
The Stormy Petrels used a 13-run inning in Game 1 to put that game away, then scored four in the sixth inning of Game 2 to push out to their 10-0 advantage in that one. The Petrels used a variety of players over the course of the doubleheader, getting the players who aren't regular starters but are still an integral part of the team some much needed game action.
Freshman left-hander Stuart Spiers got his first career win in relief in Game 1, allowing just one run on one hit over two innings of work. He issued a walk and a hit-by-pitch while striking out three. Junior right-hander Kolin Zimmer got the start and went three innings. He didn't allow a run and struck out two while allowing just two hits.
Senior first baseman Joey McAlpin had a perfect 4-for-4 game, picking up two doubles and four RBIs while scoring twice. He was joined by freshman left fielder Corey Hamm, who went 2-for 2 himself with a double, a walk, three RBIs and two runs scored.
The Petrels took a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the game on a pair of doubles from McAlpin and senior shortstop T.J. Schmutz, but the big inning came in the second. The Petrels sent 17 men to the plate and scored 13 runs on six hits over the course of the inning. Big hits in the frame included a two-run double from Hamm, a two-run double from McAlpin, an RBI double fromSchmutz, an RBI single from sophomore right fielder Brandon Fish, a two-run double by freshman center fielder Britton Araujo, and an RBI single by McAlpin. Both McAlpin and Hamm recorded three RBIs in the inning. After that, the Petrels cruised home with the big victory.
In the second game, the Petrels slowly built the lead over the course of the game. They scored 10 runs on just three hits, working 10 walks over the course of the game. Two of the three hits drove in runs, though.
Sophomore right-hander Ryan Brennan had his first start of the year Thursday evening after missing the first part of the season with an injury. He pitched very well, picking up a victory for his four innings of work. He allowed just three hits and no runs. Meanwhile, freshman right-hander Ben Welch did well in his first career outing. He two inning and allowed two hits and no runs while striking out two.
Freshman center fielder Henry Edwards picked up the big hit of the game with a two-run homer in the third. All told, he went 1-for-1 for the game with the home run, a sacrifice fly, a walk, three RBIs and two runs scored. Junior right fielder Alex Atteberry went 0-for-2, but was on-base four times. He walked twice and reached on errors twice, and picked up four stolen bases and a pair of runs.
The Petrels picked up a pair of runs in the first without the benefit of a hit. A walk, a hit batsman and an error brought sophomore Tyler Blamble to the plate, and he delivered a sacrifice fly to give the Petrels a 1-0 lead. They scored another run on a wild pitch. Edwards hit his two-run homer in the third, making it a 4-0 game, then the Petrels picked up two more in the fourth on an RBIsingle from junior designated hitter Casey Innis and the Edwards sac fly. The Petrels scored four runs in the sixth with three bases-loaded walks and a sacrifice fly from Schmutz.
"It was nice to get a lot of guys playing time today and get them game action," said Head Coach Dan Giordano. "We played hard and took care of business. We have a really big weekend ahead with Centre coming to town We're focused and ready to take on a good Centre team."
The three-game series with the Colonels will get started Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. The series will conclude with a single game at noon on Sunday.