The Queens Grant Stallions took a doubleheader in a key conference match-up with Union Academy 7-6 in the opener and 6-5 in the nightcap.  These wins puts the Stallions clearly in second place with a 9-3 record in the PAC-7 Conference.

In the opener Bryce Gorospe started the scoring with a double that scored Andy Duran and John Orlowski for 2 RBI’s giving the Stallions a quick 2-0 lead.  In the third inning Spencer Smith lead-off with a single, and scored when Gorospe drove him home on his second hit of the ball game giving the Stallions a 3-0 edge.

In the fourth inning the Cardinals picked up two runs on a couple of walks and a hit to make the game 3-2.   Then the rains came and the teams had to continue where they left off on Friday.  The excitement began immediately with the Cardinals loading the bases, however, on a sacrifice fly to right field Jacob Beard after making the catch gunned down the runner from third at home plate to end the threat.

The Stallions returned the favor in the bottom of the fifth when RBI singles by Smith and Duran scoring Beard, Ritch, Smith would give the visitors from Matthews-Mint Hill a 5-2 lead with just two innings remaining.  In the sixth the Stallions added two more insurance runs to give themselves a comfortable 7-2 advantage.

However, this is a rivalry game, in the seventh pitcher Bryce Gorospe ran into control problems hitting a batter and allowing 4 base on balls with a few hits mixed in the Cardinals were able to score 4 runs, but Gorospe would strikeout the final batter to secure the 7-6 win.

In the nightcap, Union Academy jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings of play.  Starter Jacob Laplant pitched six innings giving up just one earned run, 2 walks, scatter 7 hits, with 4 strikeouts to get the win.  He held the Cardinals at bay while the potent Stallions offense would go back to work to get back into this game.

In the third Andy Duran would drive in two runs on a double scoring Ritch and Smith to cut the lead 3-2.  In the fourth the Stallions would explode for 4 runs when Smith and Duran would provide RBI singles to make the score 6-3.

In the sixth the Cardinals threatened to have a big inning after a double by Harrison Stafford scored a run.  However, Stallions senior catcher John Orlowski took control on a bunt and steal play he would gun down the runner at third base to secure the Stallions 5-4 lead.  Both teams would score 1 run each in the seventh, and the Stallions scored their run on a double by Gorospe and an RBI single by Braian Baez.

In relief, Michael Ritch with runners on second and third with two outs, the Stallions closer would strikeout Stafford to end the game and secure the Stallion sweep.

In the two game series Bryce Gorospe went 5-7 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI’s, with a save.  Spencer Smith 4-8, 4 runs scored, Andy Duran 4-9 with 3 RBI’s.