Galveston College won two games against Dallas College Eastfield to kick off the weekend on Friday, but a grueling 223-mile road trip the following day to play a doubleheader against Temple College proved too much for the fatigued Whitecaps.
GC defeated DCE 5-3 and 6-4 on Friday but fell to TC 5-2 and 4-0 on Saturday. Despite the losses, the Whitecaps (11-7) played .500 ball by splitting the two series over the weekend.
“We started off strong and competitive against Dallas College Eastfield on Friday with solid pitching and hitting,” said Whitecaps Head Baseball Coach, Brian Reinke. “The road trip took more out of us than I hoped, but these are things we have to overcome as a team. Although the conditions are not always going to be optimal, we still have to go out, play hard and be competitive.”
The Whitecaps took a 4-0 lead over DCE in the third inning and increased it to 5-2 by the fifth frame. GC sophomore righthander Kam Hardebeck pitched four innings, gave up two runs on three hits and struck out a trio of batters to claim the win and improved to 1-1. Whitecaps sophomore righty Cade Wallace pitched the seventh and final inning, struck out an opposing batter and notched his first save of the season.
GC second baseman Ashton Beaird and first baseman M.D. Conner each drove in a pair of runs and outfielder Saul Soto knocked in another to help the Whitecaps to a 5-3 win in the first game.
In the second game on Friday, the Whitecaps rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to break a 4-all deadlock and beat the Harvester Bees, 6-4.
GC sophomore lefty David Irons pitched one inning of relief and struck out a batter to claim the victory.
Whitecaps first baseman Connor and second baseman Zachary Daigre each drove in two runs while outfielder Soto and designated hitter Kenny Espinoza knocked in a run each to lead GC to a comeback victory.
GC visits Alvin Community College on Feb. 29 at 1 p.m. before returning home for a doubleheader against ACC on March 2 at 1 and 3:30 p.m. at Bernard Davis Field, located at 81st Street and Frank Guisti Drive in Galveston. Games are free and open to the public.
For more information about the Galveston College Whitecaps baseball program, rosters and season schedule, visit https://www.gcwhitecaps.com/landing/index.
ABOUT GALVESTON COLLEGE
Galveston College was founded in 1967 and is a comprehensive community college providing the residents of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with academic, workforce development, continuing education and community service programs.