LAKE WALES, Fla. – The winning streak extended to four games for the Royals baseball team, after completing a sweep of the Statesmen from William Penn University (Iowa) on Tuesday afternoon. The Royals won in walk-off fashion 9-8 in game one, and hung on to win 4-3 in game two. The two victories improve the Royals to 9-16 overall on the season and give them momentum heading into the 30th Annual Warner Invitational later this week.
Game one saw five lead changes between the two teams. Heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, the Royals found themselves down 8-6. With the bases loaded, Kevin Gregg singled through the left side platting Dylan Gross and putting the Royals within one. Zach Quillian then drew a walk to tie the game at 8-8. Tomas Rivera was the hero in gold, hitting a walk-off single to the left side and giving the Royals the win.
The Royals offense combined for 10 hits, with four players recording multi-hit performances. Tomas Rivera and Kevin Gregg both went 2-for-3 in game one and drove in a combined five runs. George Kirkland also went 2-for-3 at the plate.
Blaine Rhea (1-1) earned his first win of the season on the mound for the Royals. Rhea tossed the final two innings and allowed three runs on three hits.
In game two, after surrendering a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth, the Royals bounced back by scoring two runs in the bottom half of the same inning and held on defensively to win their fourth straight. Kevin Gregg opened the scoring for the home side in the bottom of the second after hitting a ball hard to third base to score Randy Rodriguez. Dylan Gross added to the lead with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth, platting Broderick Rodocker. After falling behind 3-2, Chris Mejia and George Kirkland both drove in runs in the bottom of the fifth to seal the win for the Royals.
Bobby Barradas (1-0) got the start and the win on the mound in game two. Barradas went five innings and allowed three runs on six hits. Jose Hernandez tossed a scoreless sixth inning of relief for the Royals, while Broderick Rodocker earned his second save of the season with a hitless seventh.
The Royals will take a day-off before kicking off the Warner Invitational on Thursday, March 12. This year's tournament features seven teams from seven different states. Royals Field, Lake Wales High School, and Avon Park High School will all play hosts to the yearly tradition entering its 30th year. The Royals will open tournament play on March 12 with a 3:30 p.m. game scheduled against Spring Arbor University (Mich.) on their home field. Later that night, at 8:00 pm., the Royals will head to Avon Park High School to take on Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio). All tournament information can be found at www.warnerroyals.com
