Lakers Split With Raiders In Eventful Doubleheader

SANFORD, Fla. – Roosevelt bounced back from a rough outing to earn a split of Tuesday's doubleheader against Northwestern in Sanford, Fla.

The Raiders jumped all over the Lakers (7-6) in the first game of the day with a 17-1 rout, but Angel Morales made sure the second game wouldn't go the same way. The junior right hander tossed a complete-game shutout while allowing only four hits in a 7-0 Roosevelt win to close out the day.

Tuesday's first game started off strong with Kekoa Ogawa launching a home run to left field in the bottom of the first inning. However, the Lakers mustered just four hits the rest of the way and Northwestern tacked on runs in each successive inning to pull away. Jojo Mack and Bryce Hayman both singled with two outs in the third while Jack Kieffer hit a single in the fifth and Isaic Sanchez added one in the sixth.

Yet there was no doubt who was in control of the afternoon contest thanks to Morales on the mound. He finished with just one strikeout but didn't issue any walks and just two of the five runners to reach base made it to second. The Raiders singled twice in the first inning before Morales induced a groundout to end the frame. Both the fifth and seventh innings ended on double plays to erase singles for Morales to earn the victory.

Roosevelt used a patient approach at the plate to grab an early lead in the second game. Hayman singled before Ogawa and Sammy Estrada both drew walks to load the bases for James Berry, who launched a two-run single into right field. In the second inning, the Lakers tacked on four more runs, including two off wild pitches.

Mack singled to advance Sebastian Casillas to second base after the second baseman reached on a fielder's choice. Hayman walked to set the stage for Ogawa, who singled into center field to increase the lead to 3-0. Mack scored on the first wild pitch of the inning then after Kieffer walked, Hayman scored on another wild pitch. Estrada picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly to make it 6-0 Lakers after two.

Hayman added the final run of the game on a balk, and was one of four Lakers who finished with multiple hits in the contest. He joined Mack and Ogawa with two hits and two runs scored with Luca Paolucci being the other player with two hits in the contest.

The Lakers continue their Florida trip on Wednesday with a single contest at 2:30 p.m. against St. Thomas (Fla.) who is receiving votes in the latest NAIA coaches poll.