CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Stillman College baseball team used a balanced offensive attack and steady pitching to sweep a doubleheader from the University of Wilberforce Bulldogs, taking the opener 8-4 before edging out a 4-3 win in Game 2 on Saturday in HBCU Athletic Conference action.
Game 1 - Stillman 8, Wilberforce 4
Stillman did all of its early damage in the second inning, turning pressure on the bases into a four-run surge.
Matthew Rivers started the scoring when he crossed the plate on
Jonathan Phillips' RBI groundout, with
Javian Rives advancing into scoring position on the play.
Moments later, Stillman's baserunning created more chaos. Sincere Ford swiped second, and Rives came home on a throwing error by the catcher to make it 2-0. The Tigers continued to push the pace as Ford advanced on a wild pitch and scored, while
Gavin Rehorn aggressively moved up and eventually crossed the plate on another Wilberforce error.
Kameran Belser capped the inning by reaching on an error by the third baseman, driving in Rehorn to extend the lead to 4-0.
Wilberforce chipped away beginning in the fourth, taking advantage of an unearned run on a groundout. The hosts added two more in the fifth on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single, trimming the Stillman lead to 4-3.
Stillman responded decisively in the sixth with another inning fueled by timely hitting and active baserunning. Phillips came around to score on Belser's RBI single, pushing the lead to 5-3. With runners in motion,
Kane Shellhouse delivered a key two-run single to left, scoring Rehorn and Ford as Stillman stretched the advantage to 7-3. The Tigers added one more on a sacrifice bunt by
Robert Gage, plating Belser for an 8-3 cushion.
The Bulldogs managed a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly, but Stillman's defense closed the door to secure the win.
Wilberforce added a run in the seventh, but Stillman's defense and pitching held firm.
John Roland went the distance in the circle, scattering seven hits while allowing four runs, only three earned. He worked through traffic at times but limited big innings and benefited from timely defensive plays behind him.
Game 2 - Stillman 4, Wilberforce 3
Stillman wasted no time setting the tone in the opening frame, using timely hitting and opportunistic baserunning to build an early lead. Rivers and
Davion Wilkins both came around to score when
Tory Huddleston lined a two-run single through the left side, putting the Tigers ahead 2-0.
The pressure continued on the bases as Gage advanced into scoring position and later crossed the plate on a passed ball. Huddleston moved up to third on the play while Phillips advanced, helping Stillman extend its lead to 3-0 without needing another hit.
After the first inning, Stillman's pitching and defense kept Wilberforce quiet for much of the game, holding the hosts scoreless through six innings while limiting quality scoring chances.
Stillman added what proved to be a critical insurance run in the seventh when Ford sparked the offense and came around to score on Rehorn's RBI single through the right side, stretching the lead to 4-0.
Wilberforce answered in the bottom half with a sudden swing of momentum. With two runners on, Daunte Ward delivered a three-run home run to left field, bringing home Thomas Hampton and Lawrence Linen and cutting the Stillman lead to 4-3.
Despite the late push, Stillman held on to its advantage, leaning on its early offensive execution. The Tigers' first-inning production — highlighted by Huddleston's two-run single and aggressive advancement on the bases — ultimately proved the difference.
Vallejo was strong through most of his outing, allowing just four hits and three runs while striking out six, but the late homer proved decisive.
Up Next:
The Tigers and Bulldogs get together to wrap the HBCUAC series tomorrow, starting at 11 a.m. locally.
