Baseball Opens Season Hot with 4-1 Record

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College Baseball team moves to 4-1 overall after traveling to Camp Community College on Tuesday, February 6^th, Anne Arundel Friday, February 9^th, and hosting Anne Arundel Saturday, February 10^th.

The Statesmen opened the season on the road at Camp Community College in a 10-9 victory. The momentum continued with a sweep of the Riverhawks of Anne Arundel 14-4 and 12-9. On Saturday, the Statesmen split with the Riverhawks, 7-3 and 4-6.

In game one on Friday afternoon, Keegan Mahoney opened up the first inning singling up the middle. In the bottom of the first, Matthew Boyd struck out two, and allowed one hit. The Statesmen opened up the scoring in the top of the second when Arthur Garnett scored on a passed ball, taking the lead, 1-0. In the top of the third, Mahoney and Macho Santiago both homered to put the Statemen ahead 3-0. Richard Bland added one more run in the fourth, nine in the fifth, and one in the seventh to hold on for the 14-4 win.

In game two on Friday afternoon, Anne Arundel got on the board early, tacking six runs in the opening frame. The Statesmen cut the Riverhawk lead to five when Michael Duncan walked, and Jalen Ramsey advanced to third on a passed ball and scored. Richard Bland added four more in the third when Mitchell Gaskins walked, earning a rbi with Bradan Henderson scoring, Charlie Rohr scoring on a wild pitch, and Gaskins and Macho Santiago scoring on a Christion Grzyb single. The Statesmen tallied two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings, and three in the sixth to bring home a 12-9 victory, earning a sweep on the day.

In game one on Saturday afternoon, Jordan Ramsey drove in four runs on a grand slam to center field to lead the Statesmen past the Riverhawks, 7-3. A ground out by the Riverhawks put Anne Arundel on the board in the top of the first. Richard Bland flipped the gma eon its head in the bottom of the third, scoring five runs on three hits to take a 5-1 lead. Darren Osborne stepped on the bump first for Richard Bland. The righty gave up one hit and one run over two innings, striking out three and walking three. Reece Hamilton pitched three and one-third innings in relief for Richard Bland. Hamilton allowed seven hits and two runs, while striking out one and walking none. Carter Jones led the Statesmen with two hits in four at bats. Richard Bland turned one double play in the game. Richard Bland was sure-handed and didn't commit a single. Maddaux Childress made the most plays with five.

In game two on Saturday afternoon, Richard Bland's effort to come back from down five runs in the fourth inning, came up just short, as they fell 4-6 to the Riverhawks. Anne Arundel got on the board in the top of the first inning. Bradan Henderson, Carter Jones, Ashur Caraher, Macho Santiago, Michael Duncan, Mitchell Gaskins, and Jordan Ramsey each collected one hit for Richard Bland. Henderson, Jones, Gaskins, and Ramsey each drove in one run for the Statesmen. Santiago began the game for the Statesmen. The starting pitcher allowed two hits and two runs over one inning, striking out two and walking three. Alex Chini, Elijah Clarke, Christopher Wimmer, Connor Smith, and Andrew Bottari all threw at least one inning in relief for the Statesmen.

The Richard Bland College baseball team next hosts Virginia Peninsula Community College on Tuesday, February 13^th in a single, nine-inning game at 3pm.