Fast starts, pitching power Raiders to weekend sweep

The Three Rivers College baseball team used a combination of strong pitching and fast starts at the plate to earn a doubleheader sweep of the St. Charles Cougars.

The Raiders (17-16) beat St. Charles 5-1 in the opener, then took the second game 9-1 to complete the twin bill sweep Saturday at Roger Pattillo Field.

In Saturday’s opener, Kole Turner turned in arguably one of the best performances of his TRC career, allowing just three hits, two walks and no earned runs while striking out six in a complete-game victory.

The Raiders gave Turner all the run support he would need when they scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning. With the bases loaded, Trent Buchanan hit a groundball to short to score Peyton Nelson with the game’s first run.

However, the ball was misplayed by the second baseman, allowing Brady Robertson to also score and leaving both Buchanan and lead runner Eli Marvin safe. Dalton Rudd then doubled both Buchanan and Marvin home to make it 4-0.

Three Rivers scored its other run in the bottom of the second when Jordan Kelly led off the inning with a double, then scored on Nelson’s base hit to make it 5-0 at the time.

Nelson finished the game with three hits.

In the nightcap, the Raiders scored five times in the bottom of the first inning to give starter Steven Henley all the run support he would need.

After Nelson and Logan McIntyre both got base hits, Marvin singled home Nelson to make it 1-0. Buchanan followed that with another single to score McIntyre — then Rudd took an 0-2 pitch over the fence for a three-run homer that made the score 5-0.

TRC added four more runs in the bottom of the second. Nelson and McIntyre both scored on passed balls to make it 7-0, then Gavin Jansen singled home Marvin for an 8-0 lead. Buchanan then scored to cap the rally when Jansen’s hit was misplayed.

Meanwhile, Henley have a strong day on the mound, allowing three hits, one walk and no earned runs while striking out for in 5 1/3 innings of work. Zach Haygood got the final five outs to seal the win.

Nelson had another three-hit performance, while Jansen and McIntyre each had a pair.

The Raiders are back in action Friday when they host State Fair for the first two games of a four-game series. First pitch of the opener is set for noon.