Gaston College sweeps doubleheader against No. 5 ranked Division III team in the country

Facing the No. 5 team in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III preseason poll gave nationally-ranked Gaston College another chance to improve on its early season resume.

Did the Rhinos ever take advantage of the opportunity with a doubleheader sweep of the visiting Cobras on Saturday at Gastonia's Sims Legion Park.

After falling behind in each game, Gaston College won 10-3 in the opener and 11-1 in six innings in the nightcap. The finale of the three-game series at Sims Legion Park is Sunday at 1 p.m.

"I thought our offense was really patient out there," said Gaston College head coach Shohn Doty, whose team was No. 14 in the Division I preseason poll and ranked No. 10 last week by Perfect Game. "From a pitching standpoint, I thought our starters were good and I thought the bullpen was really, really good."

In the opener, the visiting Cobras (2-6) took early leads of 1-0 and 2-1 before a patient Rhinos' offense collected nine hits and drew 10 walks in rolling to the victory.

Right-hander Mason Smith went five innings with eight strikeouts to improve to 3-0 on the season. Relievers Shane Thorson, Clayton Sherwood and Landon Carr finished up the five-hitter with Carr getting the final five outs for his third save of the season.

Andrew Muraco (2 hits, 2 RBIs, 2 walks), Trent Murchison (2 hits, walk), Caleb Estes (2 hits) and Seth Christmas (2-run home run, walk) led a nine-hit Gaston College offense that drew 10 walks and one hit batter.

In the nightcap, after Caldwell scored again in the top of the first inning, the Rhinos scored the game's next 11 runs.

Left-hander Evan Vandenbosch went four innings with two strikeouts to improve to 3-0 on the season. Reliever Wagner Morrissette pitched the final two innings with three strikeouts.

Christmas (3 hits, 5 RBIs, double, walk), Brandon Crabtree (2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 2 walks), Karpowicz (1 hit, 3 walks) and Nick Lundquist (1 hit, 3 RBIs, walk) led a nine-hit Rhinos offense that drew 12 walks and three hit batters.

Doty says Gaston College (12-2) will look to learn from last Sunday's home loss to Cleveland Community College in the finale of a three-game series after a Saturday doubleheader sweep.

"I just told the guys that we were in this same position last week and we need to be ready to go on Sunday and finish the series," Doty said.