MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - The Royals split Friday's double-header with #11 St. Thomas University to take a 2 game to 1 lead in the weekend's SUN Conference Series. Warner fell in a tightly contested pitching duel in game 1 by a score of 3-to-2 before taking game 2 with a statement 8-to-4 win.
Game 1: Royals Fall 3-2
The Royals and Bobcats battled in a tightly contested pitching duel in Friday's opening game as neither team was able to create enough offense in a single inning to score more than 1 run at a time. STU was able to drive in the 1st run of the game in the 2nd Inning, but it did not take the Royals long to tie it back up as
Evan Ledoux hit an RBI single to score
Paddy Smith in the 4th. The Royals would then take the lead in the top of the 6th Inning
Timothy Dunn hit an RBI single that drove in Ledoux giving the Royals a 2-1 lead. The Royals were unable to shutout the strong Bobcats offense ine final 2 Innings and would fall 3-2.
Easton Nunez was dominant on the mound for the Royals on Friday throwing 5.2 Innings while allowing only 2 runs on 4 hits and struck out 2 Bobcats in what was another quality start for the Freshman from Lakeland, FL.
Warner Stat Leaders - Game 1
Hits: Paddy Smith &
Evan Ledoux (2)
RBIs: Evan Ledoux &
Timothy Dunn (1)
Stolen Bases: Jhenzel Figueroa (1)
Ks: Easton Nunez (2)
Game 2: Royals Win 8-4
After a tightly contested 7 Innings that saw both team's pitching staff's were able to limit offense to 2 runs each going into the final 2 Innings of the game. The Royals scored their first run of the game when Warner executed a double steal attempt that resulted in Jhenzel Figeuroa stealing home in the 4th Inning. Warner would take the lead in the 6th Inning when
Gabriel Rodriguez took advantage of an error by the Bobcats 1st Baseman to score the Royals 2nd run of the game. STU went on to tie the game up in the bottom of the 7th before the Royals offense exploded scoring 6 runs in the top of the 8th.
Paddy Smith drove in the 1st run of the Inning for the Royals earning an RBI walk that scored Rodriguez before
Adriel Torres-Gonzalez hit a 2 RBI into left to score
JD Swarbrick and
Raul Olivera. Ledoux brought Smith home on an RBI single into left field and
Samuel Blanco hit a 2 RBI single to get Torres-Gonzalez and Ledoux in to give the Royals an 8-to-2 lead. The Bobcats fought back in the bottom of the 9th to cut into the Royals lead, but Warner held #11 St. Thomas at bay to earn the 8-to-4 win.
Gage Allen had one of his strongest starts of the season so far, throwing a commanding 6+ Innings against the Bobcats. After giving up a run in the 1st, Allen settled in and would go on to shutout STU over the next 5 Innings ending his day allowing only 2 runs on 3 hits and striking out 3 in the win.
Daniel Nava came in out of the bullpen to close out the game for the Royals and earn his 1st win of the season after throwing the final 3 Innings while only giving up 2 runs on 5 hits and striking out 1.
Warner will look to take their 1st SUN Conference Series win of the year when they take on #11 St. Thomas University tomorrow.
Warner Stat Leaders - Game 2
Hits: Adriel Torres-Gonzalez (3)
RBIs: Adriel Torres-Gonzalez (2)
Stolen Bases: Gabriel Rodriguez (2)
Ks: Gage Allen (3)
Up Next:
The Royals will wrap up their 4 game series with #11 St. Thomas University tomorrow, March 21st, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00pm.
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