Texas College swept a doubleheader with Tabor College Friday to complete the two game series between the two teams. The Steers won the opener 5-3 and the nightcap 11-7. The win was a team effort in game one defeating the Bluejays who are receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches Poll.
In game one, mound presence led to the Steers win. Roderick Voisin entered into the game in the second inning turned in a stellar pitching performance in the 5-3 win. He allowed one run – just one earned, on two hits in 5.0 innings of work. He did not walk a batter and struck out one in relief of starter Michael Traylor who Tabor jumped on for a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Traylor allowed in 2.0 innings pitched, three hits, two runs and two earned runs before giving way to Voisin.
Texas College fought back. The team put together a patient comeback, grabbing a solo score in the third inning on Cameron Phelts home run trimming Tabor lead to 2-1. The Bluejays would add another run in the top of the fourth inning for a 3-1 lead. TC bounced back in the bottom of the fifth plated two runs, the big blow came off of the bat of Josiris Del Orbe Martinez two-run scoring single knotted the game at 3-3. The Steers posted two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, sophomore Cory Labsan provided the game winning hit that proved to be the game winner.
At the plate; Texas College, Phelts 2 at bats, 2 runs, 2 hits, 1 run batted in, 1 home run and 2 stolen bases. Martinez, 2 at bats, 2 hits and 2 runs driven in and Labsan 1 run batted in. Defensively TC committed five errors but played well enough to win.
After a close game in the opener, in game two, Texas College finished the sweep breaking out the bats early playing long ball going deep three times in the twilight doubleheader scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning then adding two more runs in the bottom of the second for a 3-0 lead early. Leading just 3-0 heading into the third inning, Tabor starting rolling runs across the plate using their offensive fire power to push two runs across making the score 3-2. But TC put the game away. They would put runs on the board in each of the remaining innings. They would score one in the 3rd, three in the 4th and three in the 5th. Tabor’s offense wouldn’t go stagnant. They would put runs on the board in each of the remaining innings. They would score one in the 4th, two in the 5th and two in the 7th. Texas College aided in those runs committed 10 errors in the game which kept the score close.
TC would have 14 hits in the second game. Three being round trippers by Hunter Babineaux 2 for 4 with a two run home run, Carlos Collazo 3 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs and Kyle Smith went 3 for 3 with a solo home run. Also Josiris Del Orbe Martinez, 3 for 4 with one RBI and Jonathan Riffle, freshman went 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs. Joseph Panalez pitched well in spite of the fielding miscues.
Six players were involved in 10 errors with two committing three each. Panalez would go 4.2 innings on the Hill striking out four, and giving up three earned runs. Phillip Kennedy came on in relief to go 2.1 innings pitched, finish the game with three strikeouts and no earned runs.
The Steers will host another teams receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Missouri Baptist scheduled doubleheader Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Game can be viewed by Livestats.