Eastfield Grabs Control of League Race
DALLAS – Dallas College Eastfield's No. 2-ranked baseball team grabbed sole possession of first place in the Dallas Athletic Conference with a sweep of No. 4 Dallas College Richland.
The Harvester Bees swept the Thunderducks in the three-game series, winning 8-1 at home and 7-3 and 12-9 on the road. It bumped the Bees' record to 31-4 overall, 12-0 in the DAC. Richland fell to 20-14, 9-3 in the league.
Eastfield sophomore right-hander Tyler Do tossed a complete game in the series opener, finishing with nine strikeouts, while scattering three hits and giving up an unearned run. Bees first baseman Jorge Herrera had two hits, and drove in four runs. Catcher Drew Saenz homered, shortstop Angel Gutierrez had two hits, and drove in a run, and designated hitter Erik Aguirre went 3 for 3.
In the second game, Eastfield scodred five runs in the fifth inning to overcome a two-run deficit. Aguirre doubled, and drove in a pair. Left fielder Michael Caputo was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Benjamin Sheppard (5-0) went seven innings, allowing two runs on 10 hits and a walk, while fanning four.
Richland's Bobby Gutierrez was 3 for 4, and Sean Amarante went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Catcher Robby Lopez was 1 for 4 with an RBI. Oliver Tavarez pitched 1.2 innings of shutout relief.
In the series finale, the Thunderducks answered Eastfield's five-run first inning with five of their own in the seven to pull within a run. The Harvesters tacked on three more in the eighth, and closer Ryan Dyer worked the last 2.2 innings, allowing a run on three hits and a walk, while striking out three. Teague Rehwald (4-0) got the win, allowing an run on four hits, four walks and four strikeouts. Third baseman Sebastian Palma had three hits and four RBI. Catcher Sammy Blanco was 2 for 4 with two RBI. Right fielder Brandon Sheets, second baseman Garret Hendricks and Angel Gutierrez each drove in a run.
Eastfield will meet Dallas College Brookhaven (19-17, 7-5) in a three-game series beginning noon Wednesday in Farmers Branch, Texas. The last two games are scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m. and Saturday at noon in Mesquite, Texas.