Baseball Rides High in Second Straight Conference Series

Baseball Rides High in Second Straight Conference Series

The Red Ravens baseball program won their second consecutive conference series going 3-1 on the weekend against the Highland Scotties.  The wins push their overall record to 24-18 and 15-13 in conference.

 

Game 1: Highland 9 CCC 5

Taking the mound for the Red Ravens in game one was freshman Quinten "Louisiana" Romero.  Usually the Red Ravens game three starter, Lousiana was moved up to game one.  The freshman came out and had trouble commanding his off speed pitches causing head coach Jake Martin to go to his bullpen early. 

Sophomore Kannon McCune provided exactly that.  McCune would go 3.2 innings of relief and only giving up 3 hits.

Defensive miscues also hampered the Red Ravens.  Out of the 9 runs surrendered, only 4 were earned.

Offensively, captain and catcher Brett Mitchell tied the game with a three run home run in the top of the second.  The sophomore credited the home run to "pretzel power" as he sent a line drive well over the left field fence.

Freshman Jorge Ortiz continued his tirade as he also launched a two run home run in the third inning.

 

Game 2: CCC 2 Highland 0

Game two saw the Red Ravens absolutely dominate on the mound.  Freshman Aaron Bechtel took the mound and asserted his dominance from pitch number one.  The freshman located all four of his pitches for strikes, keeping the Scotties timing off and not allowing them to establish any type of rhythm.  Bechtel would go 6 innings, allowing 1 hit, 0 runs, and striking out 9.  The outing was his second consecutive start where he reached the 6th inning or better.

Coming in for his third save of the year was sophomore Garon Johnson.  Johnson continued right where Bechtel left off.  The 6'5 sophomore would go 3 innings pitched and striking out 8 of 9 batters faced.

The outfield carried the offense in game two.  Sophomore center fielder Anotnio Culotta went 1/3 with a double, a run scored, and a stolen base.  Fellow outfielder and sophomore Isaiah Wilson would mimic Culotta going 1/3 and a run scored.

 

Game 3: CCC 8 Highland 3

Playing host for game's three and four, the Red Ravens had a solid outing by both offense and defense.  Offensively, the Red Ravens tallied 8 runs on 5 hits and only striking out twice.  

Freshman Connor Boyt went 1/2 with 3 runs scored and a triple.  Zac Freeman would go 1/1 with 2 runs scored, 1 triple, and 2 walks.

However, the game highlight would be sophomore (and University of Central Arkansas commit) starter Gavin Heltemes.  Heltemes would continue the strong pitching displayed by the Red Ravens by going 7 innings (complete game), striking out 13, allowing 4 hits, 3 runs, and walking 2.  Heltemes set the tone for the Red Ravens on the day.

 

Game 4: CCC 13 Highland 1

Coming off his first collegiate victory over Labette, red-shirt freshman starter Hunter McMahon had a memorable outing.  McMahon tossed 6 innings allowing only 1 hit (an infield single), 0 runs, 0 walks, and struck out 11.
The right handed pitcher has returned to game action in a fury.  Coming off Tommy John surgery, McMahon has continued his hard work getting back into the game and has taken every opportunity to stay healthy and compete at a high level.

Martin's offense exploded in game four.  

Freshman outfielder Blake Carroll went 3/4 with a double, 3 runs scored, with a run scored.  Culotta once again found himself in the scoring going 1/3 with 2 walks, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI, a triple, and a stolen base.

Ortiz continued swinging a hot bat as he went 2/3 with 1 run scored and 1 RBI.

 

Weekend Standouts:

Aaron Bechtel: 1W, 6ip, 1H, 0R, 9K
Gavin Heltemes: 1W, 7ip, 4H, 13K
Hunter McMahon: 1W, 6ip, 1H, 0R, 11K
Brett Mitchell: 4/12, 1HR, 6 RBI, 3R, 1 double
Jorge Ortiz: 4/11, 1HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB
Blake Carroll: 5/14, 2 RBI, 4R, 1 double