Richland Rolls to 4-0 with Sweep of Vernon

DALLAS – Fourteenth-ranked Dallas College Richland's baseball team swept a doubleheader from Vernon College Thursday, winning 5-2 and 4-3.

The Thunderducks improved to 4-0, and will meet Vernon (2-2) in another doubleheader Saturday, this time on the road. First pitch is scheduled for noon.

Leading 3-2 in the opening game Thursday, the Thunderducks scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, and reliever Daniel Norris shut the door to secure the win. Norris went the final 3.2 innings, allowing no runs on four hits and three walks, and struck out three to notch his first win of the year.

Nick Hockemeyer had two of the Thunderducks' six hits, and had a stolen base, while driving in a run. Trey Smith was doubled, and drove in a run in three plate appearances. Connor Haelzle had an RBI single in his only at-bat, and stole a base. Elmir Perez was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Jouseph Gelpi was 1-for-3. Hernan Zamora had two stolen bases.

Starter Damian Robinson went 3.1 innings, allowing two hits, two runs, one earned, two walks, and recorded seven strikeouts. 

In the second game, Richland broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the sixth, scoring the gamewinning run. Vernon took a 3-1 lead in the top of the second when the Chaparrals put two on the board, but the Thunderducks tied it with a couple runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning.

Zamora was 2-for-3 with a double, walk and two RBI. Hockemeyer was 2-for-3 with a double. Gelpi had an RBI and three stolen bases, and scored a run. Dylan Smith had a hit in two at-bats.

Bron Farr got the win in relief, pitching three scoreless innings, and allowing four hits and no walks. Starter Jacob Smoot went four innings, allowing three runs, one earned, on five hits, four walks and four punchouts.

Saturday's twin bill at Vernon will mark the start of an eight-game road trip for the Thunderducks. Richland returns home Feb. 23-24 for a pair of doubleheaders against Frank Phillips College.