The Virginia Peninsula Community College baseball team kicked off its season Sunday, Feb. 4, at home, dropping a doubleheader to Allegany College of Maryland.
In the opening game, the Gators were down just two runs after five innings but gave up eight runs in the final two innings and lost 11-3. Tyler Stobbs had three hits, including a double, for the Gators, and Jayden Alvarez added two hits. Neo Klemish drove in two runs with a home run. Logan Contreraz started on the mound and went 3 1/3 innings, giving up three hits and two earned runs.
The visiting Trojans used a four-run fourth inning to win the second game 5-1. Klemish had a double for the Gators, and Alvarez, Grant Adkins, and Caleb Gonzales collected singles. Brandon Drewry got the start, going 3 1/3 innings and giving up two hits and two runs.
“No wins, but we played very well,” said Gators coach Shane Harrison, adding he had a pitch limit on his starters. “When our top guys were in, we did really well.”
The Gators play again Friday, Feb. 9, and Saturday, Feb. 10, against The Apprentice School at War Memorial Stadium. Doubleheaders are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on both days.
Men’s basketball
VPCC put together a strong second half to defeat Mountain Gateway Community College 88-80 on Saturday, Feb. 3, at Christopher Newport University.
The Gators trailed 40-31 after the first 20 minutes but dominated after the break, outscoring Mountain Gateway 57-40 in the second half. Aidan Breathwaite scored 20 points, had seven rebounds and five steals. Jaylin Davis added 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Three other Gators scored in double figures, Tyree Weekes and D’Cameron Haynes with 12 points each, and Chris Hayes had 11. Hayes also had eight rebounds.
Last weekend, on Jan. 27, the Gators lost to Washington Adventist University 85-82.
This week, the Gators play the middle game of a three-game homestand against Sandhills Community College on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 1 p.m. at Warwick High School. When the teams met Jan. 13 in North Carolina, Sandhills won 104-72. The Gators’ final home game of the season is Wednesday, Feb. 14, against Paul d. Camp Community College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Warwick High School. They finish the season with two road games before the conference/region tournament Feb. 25-28.
Women’s basketball
The women picked up two wins in a four-day span to even their record at 4-4 with four games remaining.
In the first of the two victories, Zariia America had 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Gators over Central Carolina Community College 70-34 at home Sunday, Jan. 28. Da’Naiyah Darnell added 15 points and six assists, Cierra Bell had 10 points, and Journey Robertson chipped in eight points and seven rebounds. The Gators took control late in the first half when they scored 22 consecutive points. They finished the game with 18 steals and six blocked shots.
Four days later, against the club team from Christopher Newport University, the Gators rolled to a 108-35 victory. America, again, was the leading scorer for the Gators, with 33 points. Bell had 32 points and eight assists, and Darnell had 28 points. The team made 49 of its 63 two-point attempts, and had 21 assists.
This week, the team has its final home game of the season, Feb. 10 against Patrick & Henry at Warwick High School. The game is scheduled to start at approximately 3 p.m., following the VPCC men’s game against Sandhills Community College, which will start at 1 p.m.
The women close their season with three road games.
For more information on VPCC and its athletics programs, visit www.vpcc.edu.