Gaston College splits doubleheader at USC Sumter in Region 10 opening games

Gaston College opened Region 10 baseball action on Saturday with a doubleheader split against USC Sumter at historic Rilay Park.

The Rhinos (21-3), ranked No. 13 in the current National Junior College Athletic Association poll, lost 9-3 in the opener then won 9-4 in the nightcap.

Gaston College coach Shohn Doty was disappointed in the opening loss because Gaston College had a 3-1 lead before the host Fire Ants scored eight times in their last two innings on nine walks and two hits against the Rhinos' bullpen.

"From a pitching staff standpoint, it's extremely disappointing," Doty said. "We've got to figure out our bullpen. We've got to have guys who come out and throw the ball over the plate. We didn't do that today and that was the difference in the game."

Trey Truitt, Konni Durschlag and Adam Quintero had RBIs against USC Sumter left-hander Jeremiah Locklear to take its 3-1 lead after 4 1-2 innings.

"Their guy can really pitch," Doty said of Locklear. "We knew that going in. He's an ace. J.D. (Everett) gave us a really good start and we've got a 2-run lead in the fifth inning and you've got to win those games."

Wade Kelly's two hits led the Rhinos' 5-hit offense in the opener.

In the nightcap, Gaston College trailed 1-0 after three innings before the Rhinos scored once in the fourth and four runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

"I thought our guys showed some resilience after not finishing the first game on a positive note," Doty said.

Durschlag (2 hits, 1 RBI), Quintero (1 hit, 3 RBIs), J.D. Yakubinis (1 hit, 1 RBI), Pierson Gunnell (1 hit, 1 RBI) and Preston Hall (2 RBIs) led Gaston College's 7-hit offense in the nightcap.

Nolan Straniero went 5 2-3 innings allowing five hits, four runs (one earned) and four walks before Derek Vartanian closed out the win with 1 1-3 innings of relief.

"The bottom line is that our pitching staff to do a better job," Doty said. "If we're going to win a league championship and we've got a 3-1 lead on one of the best pitchers in the league, you've got to finish that game."

The Rhinos and Fire Ants are slated to play another doubleheader on Sunday in Sumter and moved it up to 10 a.m. in hopes of beating the forecasted rainfall.