Velasquez's Complete Game Leads to Game 1 Win in Split Series
(Hastings, NE) – Competing in their final homestand of the season, Hastings defeated Midland 5-3 in game one behind a strong pitching performance from senior James Velasquez, then lost game two, 10-2.
(Hastings, NE) – Competing in their final homestand of the season, Hastings defeated Midland 5-3 in game one behind a strong pitching performance from senior James Velasquez, then lost game two, 10-2.
The Broncos struck first with the three runs in the bottom of the first. Junior Jaden Stone singled in the first at-bat and came around to score on a triple by junior Coletin Renn that was misplayed by the Warrior right fielder. Sophomore Jared Delgado then grounded out to short, scoring Renn to go up 2-0. Hastings was not done, as senior Elijah Merritt and freshman Jordin Albertson got on with one out and senior Mason Masur drove in the third run of the inning on a foul out to right field to take a 3-0 lead.
On the mound, Velasquez pitched one of his best games of the year, not allowing a run through the first three innings. Hastings added two more in the fifth coming on an RBI single by junior Tristan Martinez with two on and two out, then senior Alliskair Descartes brought in Masur from third to put Hastings ahead 5-0.
Midland was able to get two runs in the fourth inning and an unearned run in the sixth, but Velasquez closed the game out strong to win 5-3. He pitched a seven-inning complete game, allowing just two earned runs on five hits and striking out nine, which tied a season high. Merritt led Hastings offensively, going 3-3 with two runs scored, while Stone and Renn were both 2-4 with a run scored.
In game two, a leadoff walk in the first inning from the Warriors turned into a run for an early 1-0 lead, then they scored three runs on two hits in the second inning to go up 4-0.
Albertson hit a one-out double in the bottom of the second and scored on a two-out single that was driven in by junior Jace Valdez to cut it to 4-1, but Midland got two runs in both the top of the third and fourth to grab an 8-1 advantage.
Following the ninth run of the game by the Warriors in the sixth inning, Hastings struck back with a run in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs, Albertson walked and Masur moved him to second with a single. Valdez came up next and stroked a base hit to left to bring Albertson in, making it 9-2. Midland tacked on a run in the seventh to win 10-2.
Albertson was 2-2 in game two with a walk, scoring both runs, while Valdez was 2-3 and drove in the two runs.
Up next, Hastings will travel to play a doubleheader at Mount Marty tomorrow beginning at 3pm.
