Cedar Valley Slams North Lake to Take Game 1
IRVING, Texas – Dallas College Cedar Valley got back to the .500 mark, following a 15-5 seven-inning run-rule victory at Dallas College North Lake Thursday.
The win snapped a seven-game skid for the Suns, who opened the second half of Dallas Athletic Conference action with their first mercy rule win in league play this season. The three-game series shifts to Lancaster Friday and Saturday as the Suns (18-18, 4-12 DAC) will host Games 2 and 3 at noon.
Hayden Carpenter belted a 1-1 pitch to left field for a grand slam with one out in the top of the fifth to trigger a seven-run inning that lifted Cedar Valley in front for good. Daniel Brandon III homered two batters later, and Jordan Anguiano lined a two-run single to center as the Suns piled it on. The Suns tacked on four more runs in the sixth on a home run by Aiden Hatton, fielder's choice RBI by Homar Barrera-Lopez and RBI singles by Zachary Mikes and Anguiano to put the game away.
It was Carpenter's team-leading seventh home run of the season. It was the second time he's driven in four or more runs in a game, and the fourth time he's had three or more.
North Lake (15-23, 6-10) took a 5-2 lead in the third on Michael Holden's RBI single to center to score Noah Angus, who singled to the left side. The Blazers scored two runs in the three-run inning on wild pitches.
But starter Keller Thompson settled in after that, allowing just two of his eight hits – a single by Holden before getting a double play to open the fifth and an infield single by Jacob Binder to lead off the sixth – after the third inning. He retired seven of the last nine batters he faced.
Thompson (4-3) went six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and four walks, and fanned eight in the win. Avery Dubose worked the seven, hitting the first two batters he faced before recording a strikeout and two fly outs to seal the victory.
Brandon was 3-for-5 with a double, home run and a walk. Anguiano went 2-for-4 with three RBI. Atherton had two hits and a pair of walks. Mikes was 2-for-3 with two RBI, a walk and a stolen base. Barrera-Lopez had two hits and a walk in four at-bats.
North Lake's Robert Farr, Angus and Holden each accounted for two of the Blazers' eight hits.
Blazers starter Logan Stark allowed four runs on four hits and two walks, while strikeout out six in the no decision.
The win was Cedar Valley's first over North Lake this season.
