Top-ranked Gaston College has second straight DH split at USC Union

Top-ranked Gaston College's baseball team had a "deja vu all over again" moment on Sunday as the Rhinos had an impressive offensive outing in the opener for a second straight day at USC Union then struggled at the plate in the nightcap to lose for a second straight doubleheader split.

Sunday's results give the Rhinos records of 40-5 overall and 17-3 in Region 10.

"I can't explain it," said Gaston College coach Shohn Doty, whose team won 14-0 in five innings in Sunday's opener before losing 2-1 in the nightcap. "Obviously, we've got work to do tomorrow at practice. We've got to get back on the horse and see how we respond. It's just a disappointing weekend. Splits aren't what we're about."

In Saturday's doubleheader opener, the Rhinos set school records in a 31-11 win before losing 5-4 in the nightcap.

In Sunday's opener, five Rhinos had two hits as Gaston College struck for seven runs in the second inning, six in the fourth and one in the fifth to end the contest by the mercy rule.

Seth Christmas (2 hits, double, home run, 5 RBIs), Trent Murchison (2 hits, double, 2 RBIs), Trevor Lucas (2 hits, double, 1 RBI), Ben Karpowicz (2 hits, 1 RBI) and Brandon Crabtree (2 hits, 1 RBI) led the 11-hit offense.

And Landon Carr made his third straight impressive start with his first shutout and the team's sixth shutout of the season. While improving to 4-1 overall, Carr fired a three-hitter with no walks, six strikeouts and 66 pitches.

In the nightcap, Trent Murchison drew a leadoff walk and scored on No. 2 hitter Lucas' RBI double. But only Murchison and Freddie Oliver got hits the rest of the game as the Bantams' pitchers Blake Baldwin and Jordan Fricks combined on a three-hitter with five walks and seven strikeouts.

The one run and three hits were season-lows for the Rhinos.

Gaston College now has 13 days before its closes its Region 10 slate at home in April 20 and 21 doubleheaders against No. 9 Florence-Darlington Tech.

The Rhinos play five games against non-league Region 10 opponents. Gaston College visits Surry Community College on Wednesday at 2 p.m., visits Cleveland Community College on Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader and a 1 p.m. single game on Sunday and hosts a 3 p.m. home game against Rockingham Community College on April 16.

"Right now, we've got to use these non-conference games to get ourselves going," Doty said. "We've got to take care of some business and win some games.
"We're pretty disappointed with what we did this weekend and we've got to see if we can get it turned around in practice tomorrow."