No. 10 Gaston College completes 3-game sweep on Sunday

Gaston College coach Shohn Doty could sense even during batting practice that his team was primed for a good outing Sunday.

And his hunch could not have been more spot on as the Rhinos pummeled Caldwell Tech 13-0 in a game shortened to five innings on a chilly day at Sims Legion Park to complete a three-game weekend sweep of the No. 5-ranked Division III Cobras.

"I thought we were dialed in early, and I felt that intensity in batting practice," Doty said. "I thought this was one of the best Sunday games we have come out and played."

More importantly, the Rhinos (13-2) did not fall into the same complacency trap that cost them last week in the third game of a series against neighboring Cleveland Tech.

"We were determined not to let ourselves get lulled to sleep," Doty said after the Rhinos exploded for nine runs in the first two innings and finished it off with a four-run bottom of the fourth.

Gaston College, ranked No. 14 in the Division I preseason poll and No. 10 this week in the Perfect Game poll, combined aggressive baserunning early with long ball power later in the game.

"We ran the bases aggressively to score early, and then we set in there and actually drove in some runs," Doty noted.

The Rhinos stole nine bases for the game, including a three-base swipe day by catalyst Trent Murchison. Freddie Oliver had two thefts.

Freshman Ben Karpowicz, a native of Elgin, Ill., who transferred from Illinois State, enjoyed one of his best days in a Rhino uniform, going 3-for-3 with a pair home runs and six RBIs.

Karpowicz hit a three-run shot in the second inning and a two-run blast in the fourth frame. Oliver also homered to center in the Rhinos' final at-bat to drive in a pair of runs.

Brandon Crabtree chipped in two hits, three runs scored and an RBI to the winning cause.

On the mound, true freshman Connor Frail (2-0) threw 48 of his 70 pitches for strikes, scattered five hits, struck out three and walked one.

"Today, I thought he (Frail) did a much better job of finishing off hitters," Doty said. "He is always a strike thrower, but he can get two strikes and then give up some cheapies. His off-speed stuff was better today. He was super-efficient."

Gaston College catcher Nick Lundquist suffered an injury on a play at the plate, and Doty said the sophomore transfer from North Carolina A&T will have to be evaluated.

The Rhino continue their 20-game home stand Tuesday with a single game against Harford Community College starting at 2 p.m.