Top-ranked Gaston College offense stays hot to extend winning streak to 22

Top-ranked Gaston College continued its hot hitting on Wednesday afternoon with an 18-6 victory at Patrick & Henry Community College.

The victory improved the Rhinos to 31-2 overall and extended their winning streak to 22 games which ties a school record.

"I thought we competed really, really well at the plate today," said Gaston College Shohn Doty, whose team had 15 hits while scoring in double figures for the fifth time in six games and for the 18th time this season.

Andrew Muraco (4 hits, 2 home runs, 4 RBIs), Trevor Lucas (2 hits, 2 RBIs), Brandon Crabtree (2 hits, double, 1 RBI), Freddie Oliver (2 hits, 5 RBIs) and Caleb Estes (2 hits, double, 1 RBI) led the offense that erupted for four runs in the second inning, six in the fourth and eight in the sixth.

The six-run and eight-run innings marked the eighth time the Rhinos have scored five or more runs in an inning in the last five games.

On the mound, starter Gabe Hernandez and reliever Jason Johnson combined to hold the host Mustangs in check after they scored six runs in the first two innings to take a 6-4 lead. Hernandez went 3 1/3 innings with Johnson following up with 2 2/3 innings with three strikeouts.

"I thought Gabe competed really well," said Doty, whose team was the first junior college in the country to reach 30 victories this season. "I think he made some good pitches and didn't get rewarded for them.
"And Jason Johnson was exceptional out of the bullpen today. He went three plus innings and didn't give up a run."

Gaston College, ranked No. 1 earlier this week by Dream Big Athletics and No. 2 in the National Junior College Athletic Association, Perfect Game and 2-Year Baseball polls, returns to Region 10 Division I action this weekend with 1 p.m. doubleheaders against USC Salkehatchie on Saturday and Sunday at Gastonia's Sims Legion Park.