The Gators dropped a single game to Virginia State University and a three-game weekend series to Surry Community College of North Carolina.
In a 13-8 loss to VSU on March 20, the Gators cut a six-run deficit to one with two runs in the fifth inning and two more in the sixth. Unfortunately, the visitors responded with two runs in the seventh and three in the eighth for the victory.
Marco Fernandez had three hits, including a home run, and drove in four runs, and William Bennett had two hits, including a double, for VPCC. Wilson Estep pitched the final 1 2/3 innings and held VSU scoreless and hitless while striking out two.
On March 23, the visitors from Dobson, N.C., topped the Gators 6-4 in 10 innings, then followed with a doubleheader swept the next day, with the scores 15-5 and 17-8.
In the extra-inning loss, Surry Community College scored three times in the 10th, with the Gators answering with just one in the bottom half. Jayden Alvarez had two hits and three RBI, and Fernandez and Neo Klemish also had two hits each. Garett Hedgepeth had a solid start for VPCC on the mound, going six innings and giving up just four hits and two earned runs. He struck out eight.
Sunday’s first game was a tale of big innings. After Surry got on the board with a four-run second inning, the Gators took the lead with five runs in the third. However, a 10-run inning for Surry in the sixth was the difference.
Tyler Stobbs had two hits and two RBI, and Fernandez had three more hits. Max Barnhart was strong in relief, going 1 2/3 innings, giving up one hit and no earned runs.
In Sunday’s second game, the Gators pounded out 10 hits and had a five-run inning but couldn’t slow down Surry. Austin Smith had three hits for VPCC, with Gavin Price, Israel Dozier and Stobbs collecting two each. Price also drove in three runs, with Smith and Derek Byrum collecting two RBI. Dozier scored three times.
The Gators return to action with a three-game series at home against Caldwell Community College (Hudson, N.C.). On Friday, March 29, the teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., with a single game the following day starting at noon.
Track and field
The team’s next meet is April 5-6 at Norfolk State. Following that, the Gators will participate in a meet at CNU on April 19-20, and finish their first season of competition at Virginia State University on April 27.
For more information on VPCC and its athletics programs, visit www.vpcc.edu.