Hayman, Munoz Power Lakers Past Blue Devils

AUBURNDALE, Fla. – Roosevelt's bats stayed hot against NAIA competition in cruising to a 12-5 win over Lawrence Tech on Sunday in the opening game of the RussMatt Invitational in Florida.

The Lakers (6-4) scored in five of the first six innings then added on three more runs in the ninth for good measure. They pounded out 11 hits, just two of which went for extra bases, and took advantage of three errors from the Blue Devils while creating additional offense for themselves with six stolen bases.

Bryce Hayman started the game by drawing a walk and quickly advanced on Daniel Gutierrez's single up the middle. Two batters later, Hunter Darst hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Hayman from third and staked the Lakers to the early lead. Roosevelt doubled the lead in the third inning when Sean Blanchard popped out to the first baseman in foul territory and a throwing error allowed Jojo Mack to score.

In the fourth inning, Diego Munoz opened the frame with a single and seemed destined to be stranded there after two quick outs. Instead, Mack singled up the middle and both runners advanced on a wild pitch. That set the table for Hayman to deliver a two-out two-RBI single to left field, then score before Gutierrez even swung the bat. Hayman stole second base, but the poor throw from the catcher allowed the senior to advance to third and score on the error.

Munoz would drive in two of his three RBIs in the game in the fifth inning with a triple to center field, then later scored on Jack Kieffer's fielder's choice. Another wild pitch in the sixth allowed Gutierrez to score, the only run he scored despite going 4 for 5 at the plate against Lawrence Tech.

Noah Mathias dipped and dodged in and out of trouble over the course of 4.1 innings, finally giving up a run in the fourth inning. Kyle Winston earned the win in relief and allowed a run in the seventh and two in the eighth to allow the Blue Devils to cut the lead to 9-5.

In need of some insurance runs, Munoz hit a double to score Sherman Martin after he reached on an error. Jaylen Heard then came on as a pinch hitter and hit a single that scored Munoz. Hayman then tacked on an RBI sacrifice fly before Chris Miller worked a scoreless ninth inning.

Munoz was 3 for 5 with three RBIs and three runs scored, and he knocked in both of the Lakers' extra base hits in the game. Mack went 2 for 4 with a pair of runs scored and Martin also scored twice, coming around both times he reached base in the game.

The Lakers continue their spring break trip with a matchup against Concordia (Neb.) at 11:45 a.m. at Northeast Regional Park in Davenport, Fla.