No. 4 Thunderducks Buzz by No. 2 Harvester Bees, 11-1

Eimir Perez 2-run single

DALLAS – Fourth-ranked Dallas College Richland handed No. 2 Dallas College Eastfield its first loss in league play Wednesday in the Thunderducks' 11-1 seven-inning victory.

The win pulled Richland (19-9, 6-1 Dallas Athletic Conference) into a tie with Eastfield (23-7, 6-1) atop the league standings.

Starter Jacob Smoot, on the heels of his National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Pitcher of the Week honor announced prior to gametime, went the distance, scattering six hits and allowing a run and a walk, while striking out four to collect his third straight victory. He improved to 5-1, and lowered his earned run average to 2.77. Smoot is tied for the NJCAA Division III lead in wins.

Connor Haelzle had two hits and a stolen base, and drove in a pair, and Jouseph Gelpi was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in as the Thunderducks outhit the Harvester Bees, 8-6.

Richland broke up a scoreless game in the bottom of the fourth when Haelzle singled home Trey Smith. The Thunderducks also scored on a passed ball to make it 2-0. Richland tacked on four more runs in the fifth to extend the lead to 6-0.

Eastfield scored its run in the top of the sixth after River Curs singled and scored on a single to right by John Jackson.

But the Thunderducks added two more in the sixth and three in the seventh to put it away. Seth Markham's RBI double to left-center in the seventh made it 9-1. Smith's two-out bases-loaded walk gave Richland the 10-run lead to end it.

Smith had two RBI, a sac fly and two walks. Hernan Zamora was 1-for-2 with an RBI and three walks. Kelton Phillips doubled, walked and scored three times in four at-bats. Eimir Perez had a two-run single.

Richland drew 10 walks.

Eastfield's JJ Bush, Mikey Caputo, Gabe Forer and Clay Payne also had a hit.

The two teams will resume the three-game series 12 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Eastfield.