Galveston College opened conference play on a strong note, taking two of three games against Region 14 South Conference rival, Alvin Community College.

The Whitecaps won the series opener, 6-1, at Bernard Davis Field in Galvston on Feb. 27, GC’s fourth home game of the season, before splitting Saturday’s doubleheader at ACC. The Whitecaps improved to 10-8 overall and 2-1 in conference competition.

With the pair of losses, the Dolphins dropped to 12-5 overall and 1-2 in conference games. The defeats were also the first ACC has suffered since the end of January.

“We played solid, fundamental baseball and earned a series win against a talented Alvin team,” said GC Head Baseball Coach, Ryne Edmondson. “It’s a good start to conference play, but we have to keep practicing, competing and building on this momentum.”

In the conference opener on Feb. 27, Whitecaps sophomore righthander Trent Barnes pitched 5.2 near-flawless innings, striking out five and allowing only two hits, before giving way to freshman right-handed reliever, Hayden Capers, who pitched the remaining 3.1 innings to secure the GC victory. Barnes was credited with the win and improved to 4-0.

Offensively, the Whitecaps unloaded for five runs in the third inning, adding an insurance score in the fourth, to give the home team a 6-1 victory. GC shortstop Nic Paparella went 1-for-1 with a pair of walks, one hit, a score and two RBIs. Whitecaps right fielder Saul Soto went 1-for-4, scored and drove in two runs, while second baseman Ashton Beaird went 1-for-1 with two walks and two runs scored.

At the twin bill in Alvin on Saturday, both squads battled through all seven innings, which included three lead changes and two tie scores. GC broke a 4-all deadlock in the sixth with a three-run rally, added an insurance run in the seventh, and held off the home team in the bottom of the inning to win, 8-6.

Whitecaps freshman righty reliever Hank Howard pitched the fifth inning, struck out two opposing batters and was awarded the win to improve to 2-1. Fellow GC right-handed reliever Trenton Buckley pitched two-thirds inning of shutout ball, including one strike out, to notch his second save of the season.

Buckley also contributed offensively as he went 3-for-3 as a designated hitter, scored a run and drove in another. GC right fielder Soto went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and second baseman Beaird went 2-for-4 and scored once. Catcher Ethan Hughes went 1-for-4 and contributed a pair of RBIs to the Whitecaps’ cause.

In the final game of the series, ACC scored four runs in the fourth inning and never looked back to win 5-2. GC freshman righty Lucas Moore pitched four innings, allowed four runs on seven hits and struck out three Dolphins. Moore was credited with the defeat and dropped to 1-3.

GC will face Coastal Bend College this week for a four-game series beginning on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Beeville. The Whitecaps return home to face the same Cougars squad on Thursday at 2 p.m. and close out the series with a doubleheader on Saturday at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Both GC home dates will be played at Bernard Davis Field, located at 81st Street and Frank Guisti Drive in Galveston. Games are free and open to the public.

For more information about the GC Whitecaps baseball program, rosters and season schedule, visit https://www.gcwhitecaps.com/landing/index.

ABOUT GALVESTON COLLEGE

Galveston College was founded in 1967 and is a comprehensive community college providing the residents of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with academic, workforce development, continuing education and community service programs.