Gaston College closes out three-game road trip with 14-6 victory

After splitting a doubleheader at Lenoir Community College, Gaston College coach Shohn Doty wanted to see how his team responded to some adversity.

The Rhinos responded by scoring in six of the seven innings of Saturday's 14-6, 7-inning mercy-rule shortened victory.

"I thought we played really well," said Doty, whose team improved its record to 16-2. "We scored early and ended up winning by the 8-run rule, so I thought we responded really well."

Matthew Dobson (3 hits, 4 RBIs, double, home run), Enrique Wood (2 hits, 2 RBIs, double), Miller St. John (2 hits, 1 RBI, double), Adam Quintero (2 hits, double), Will Kelly (home run, 2 RBIs) led the 13-hit offense.

Starter and winner Kyle McKernan struck out eight in five innings and relievers Landon Carr, Darrell Johnson and Sawyer Sutton closed out a 6-hitter.

"Offensively, we were really good," Doty said. "I started Matthew Dobson today and he had a home run and a double, so it was good to see him take advantage of his opportunity. Wade Kelly also had a home run. We're just trying to get some guys going up and down the lineup."

The Rhinos entered the weekend with six shutouts in 15 games before yielding 18 runs in three games.

"The weekend was a little uncharacteristic of how we've pitched so far this season," Doty said. "But we'll make some adjustments."

Lenoir Community College (10-5) is coming of a 35-win season and has previously made three National Junior College Athletic Association World Series appearances.

"They've got a good club," Doty said of the Lancers. "So for to bounce back like we did was really good. We played more like we want to play."

Gaston College returns to action on Wednesday in a 3 p.m. doubleheader against Surry Community College at Gastonia's Sims Legion Park.

"It was a good learning experience for us," said Doty, whose team won 10-5 in Friday's doubleheader opener before losing 7-3 in the nightcap. "It was our first road trip where we had to spend the night.
"We weren't happy with how we played in the second game on Friday. But when you lose one, you've got to try and start another streak. That's what we did today and we'll try to keep it going on Wednesday against Surry."