WARRIORS GO 1-2 AT UC-CLERMONT; PEREZ GRAND SLAM SETS UP WARRIORS FOR THIRD GAME WIN

BATAVIA, Ohio - The Warriors (5-8) started their spring trip against UC-Clermont (4-2), dropping the first two games before resoundingly winning the third. Jack LaRue and Raymond Perez III led the way on the hitting side, with LaRue nailing three home runs across the weekend. Perez III helped Rochester overcome a 4-0 deficit with a grand slam in the second inning, eventually leading to the Warriors' win of the weekend.

GAME ONE - L, 4-5

The Warriors came up just short in a game that played out like a classic, with both teams making fantastic outfield plays and clutch pitches. Senior Jack LaRue led the way for the Warriors with two home runs in his first three at-bats, putting pressure on the Cougars early on.

LaRue's first homer came in the first inning, connecting perfectly on a ball to centerfield to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, Reese Ungvarsky advanced to second before getting home off a single by Brendan DeFlorio. UC Clermont answered with two runs to tie the game in the bottom of the first.

The next two innings were a defensive battle, with the Warriors responding to a tough second inning with a brilliant double-play by Ryan Polega, Lucas Bateman, and LaRue. To end the inning, Aiden Alspaugh connected with Bateman to catch a baserunner attempting to steal.

Luke Jayaraman made the Warriors' next big play in the fourth inning, hitting a double to help Jake Nuttall reach home plate. The Cougars hit right back with an RBI single to keep things even. LaRue didn't give the hosts much time to celebrate, hitting another dinger on the first pitch of the fifth inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Warriors escaped a compromising spot with bases loaded and just one out. After conceding a point to a walk, the Warriors made a second double-play, with Bateman hitting Raymond Perez III, who then made a beautiful toss to LaRue.

From the sixth to ninth innings, the teams were deadlocked. Both teams found ways to make timely plays on the mound and in the outfield. With a tie in the bottom of the ninth, pitcher Kyle Shagena struck out two batters before the Warriors secured a flyout to left field.

After a quick three outs, the Warriors were put into a tough spot after a double on the first at-bat for UC-Clermont in the bottom of the tenth. Shortly after, UC Clermont hit a single to send the baserunner home and clinch the win.

GAME TWO - L, 0-4

Sunday's first matchup was tough for the Warriors, who struggled to capitalize on players on base throughout the game. Neither team did much in the first inning, before a homer by the Cougars in the second after holding the Warriors to a three-and-out.

Alspaugh hit a double in the second inning, but the Warriors couldn't move on from there. Clermont hit a two-RBI single in the third inning before scoring again on a sacrifice fly while still holding Rochester to one hit.

The fourth inning could've shifted the game in the Warriors' favor, with Rochester loading the bases. However, UC Clermont made a brilliant double play from the shortstop, halting the Warriors' momentum.

After striking out two batters and securing a pop-up, the sixth inning was another chance for the Warriors to find a way back into the game. The Warriors had two players get on base, with pinch runners Mason Young and Anthony Clements advancing to third and second after a wild pitch. With two outs, the Warriors hit a flyout and couldn't capitalize. The seventh inning would be much like the first six, and Rochester took the loss.

GAME THREE - W, 8-5

After looking dead in the water to start, the Warriors clawed back to secure a big win in the series' final game. After getting hit with three outs quickly, the Warriors found themselves in a dangerous spot when the Cougars took a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

In need of a big-time play, the Warriors got one from Perez. Before he was at bat, three Warriors got on base off singles. With a curveball careening his way, the sophomore smashed the ball into center field for a grand slam to tie the game.

At the mound, Kyle Butcher was unshaken by the tough first inning and built momentum with three quick outs on the Cougars to get to the third inning. There, LaRue continued his spectacular weekend, launching the Warriors' second home run of the game to take the lead. The game was far from over though, as the Cougars stole home on an error by the Warriors in the third.

The momentum shifted again in the fourth inning, where the Warriors scored three critical runs. After a walk for Jayaraman, Don Galovich executed a bunt play to perfection to get Jayaraman to second while advancing to first. Tony Grazioli helped the two recapture the lead, hitting a single to run in Jayaraman, while Galovich took home off an error by Clermont.

Clermont gave the Warriors a scare by loading the bases, but Butcher clutched up in a big way, logging a swinging strikeout on a full count with two outs to prevent the Cougars from having a chance. Perez made another big play, this time on the defensive end by executing a double-play to make quick work of the Cougars.

Colin Powers subbed in for Butcher to close out the game and helped cancel out two players on base for UC Clermont by pitching a strikeout on the final out of the sixth inning. The seventh inning was critical for the Warriors, who couldn't score in the top of the period. The Warriors again found themselves in a tumultuous spot, as errors helped UC Clermont score a run and load the bases up. With a chance for the Cougars to steal the game, Powers prevented it by striking out the final batter of the day to get the win and the save.

STAT OF THE SERIES

LaRue's slugging percentage sits at .786 to start the season in ten games played, largely thanks to his performances this weekend.

UP NEXT

The Warriors pack up and continue their trek to Florida, taking on IU South Bend on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Auburndale.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: RU Baseball