The GTCC Titan baseball team opened conference play with double header split with Region X opponent USC-Lancaster on Saturday. USCL held off a Titan rally in Game 1 to hand GTCC its first conference loss by the score of 4-3. The Titans bounced back with a 4-0 shutout win over the Lancers.
In Game 1, USCL jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and held on to beat the Titans 4-3. TJ Wharton’s 2-RBI double in the bottom of the 5th cut the Lancers lead to 1, but the Titans could get any closer. Brandon Burkes had 2 hits for GTCC and Darren Lauer pitched a solid 4.2 innings, but was saddled with the loss.
Game 2 saw Titan sophomore not only take control of the game on the mound, but also at the plate. Fernandez tossed 5 shutout innings and blasted a solo home run en route to a 4-0 Titan win. Fernandez allowed only 3 hits over 5 innings pitched while striking out 3. Cody Adkins added 2 hits and an RBI for the Titans, and Brandon Burkes cranked a solo home run as well.
The Titans return to action tomorrow with another conference doubleheader with USC-Lancaster. First pitch for Game 1 will be at 1:00. Games will be played at Ragsdale High School.
GAME 1
R H E
USCK 020 020 0 4 9 0
GTCC 010 020 0 3 5 1
Loss- Darren Lauer
Hitters- Brandon Burkes 2-3; TJ Wharton 1-3 w/ 2RBI
GAME 2 R H E
USCL 000 000 0 0 3 1
GTCC 110 101 x 4 4 1
Win- Ernesto Fernandez
Hitters- Brandon Burkes- solo home run; Ernesto Fernandez- solo home run; Cody Adkins 2-3 w/ 1RBI
John Barrow
Head Baseball Coach
Guilford Technical Community College