McHenry, MD – A day after earning head coach Eric Hallenbeck his 500th career victory, Garrett College swept a Sunday afternoon doubleheader from the visiting Point Park (PA) University junior varsity, 12-6 and 10-4.
The Lakers have won four of their last five games. Their most significant win of the last week came a day earlier during a doubleheader split as Garrett defeated visiting Hagerstown Community College, 5-2, in the opener for Hallenbeck's milestone win.
Meyer Cabrera, who had two hits and drove in three runs in Saturday's victory, said he was happy to be part of Hallenbeck's signature triumph.
"It's great to be part of this experience," said Cabrera. "Coach has done a lot for us; it's just good we could give something back to him."
The split moved Garrett (20-10 overall, 13-3 region) back into first place in NJCAA Division II Region 20-West as Montgomery College (17-12, 10-3) dropped a Saturday doubleheader to Frederick Community College (21-9, 12-4). Hagerstown (25-9, 12-6) is in fourth place in the division.
GC jumped out to a 4-0 lead as Noah Broadwater delivered a run-scoring single in the first and the Lakers exploded for three runs in the second. Grayden Gillott had a two-out, RBI single and Cabrera followed with a two-run double that rolled to the fence in right-center field to cap the second inning.
Quinn Illig's RBI double in the third pulled the Hawks within 4-1, but GC got the run back with a two-out rally in the fourth. Gillott doubled to set up Cabrera's run-scoring hit that made it 5-1.
"I think both of Meyer's hits came on 3-2 pitches," observed Hallenbeck. "Both at bats he went deep in the count and then put a good swing on the ball."
Bryce Madden (4-1) threw a four-hit complete game with eight strikeouts and three walks to earn the win.
"I would have had to pry the ball out of Bryce's hand to get him out of that game," said Hallenbeck. "He got into a little trouble in the third inning [three walks and a hit], but he got out of the jam. He competes and he wants the ball."
"I just wanted to get after them – my stuff versus theirs and see who wins," said Madden.
Illig helped rally the Hawks in the nightcap with a single, double, two runs, and RBI. Bryan Benedict had a double and drove in two runs as Hawk ace Colby Hahn (6-0) struck out six while spacing five hits and five walks over a complete-game effort.
Hunter Dakan (4-1) was the losing pitcher, yielding six runs (four earned), four hits and two walks.
GC 12, Point Park 6
GC 10, Point Park 4
McHenry, MD – The Lakers used a two-run double by Noah Broadwater (two runs, three RBI) and a two-run single from JJ Charlton to take a 4-0, first-inning lead in the opener. Point Park, which faced a 7-0 deficit after two innings, closed within 7-6 before Laker Felix Aubin's two-run double sparked a five-run sixth inning to blow the game open.
Charlton (double, run, two RBI) and Connor Blake (two runs, RBI) each had two hits for the Lakers.
Tristan Farnworth picked up the pitching win, allowing two runs on three hits with a walk and a strikeout over three innings.
In the nightcap, Matt Firestone had three hits and drove in four runs as the Lakers rallied from a 4-0 hole for their fourth win in the last five games. Garrett took the lead for good with a three-run fifth that erased a 4-3 deficit.
Broadwater went 2-for-3, scored twice, and drove in a run. Ethan Kirkpatrick pitched a scoreless fifth to earn the Game 2 win.
GC 15, CCAC 1
Monroeville, PA – Kai Canson yielded one run on five hits with five strikeouts over five innings to earn the pitching victory last Thursday over Community College of Allegheny County.
Bryce Madden (run, two RBI) and Aiden Screen (two runs, RBI) each had two hits for the Lakers.
PHOTO CUTLINE
Photo by John Rudd
Bryce Madden delivers a pitch during Garrett College's 5-2 victory over Hagerstown Community College on Saturday. Madden threw a four-hit complete game with eight strikeouts to earn his fourth win of the season.
