The Galveston College Whitecaps ran out of gas in the last innings of their season-opening doubleheader against Angelina College as the Roadrunners rallied twice to defeat the islanders, 3-2 and 8-7, on Saturday at Poland Field in Lufkin.
“The team played hard in two very close games against Angelina College and we had a chance to win both of them,” said Galveston College first-year head coach, Ryne Edmondson. “Our players never gave up and fought hard until the end. It was a valuable experience, especially for our younger players, and I’m proud of their effort and resilience. We’re going to learn from this as we refocus and prepare for our home opener on Friday and the Island Tournament.”
The season opener was originally scheduled to be played on Jan. 24, but was rescheduled due to the inclement weather last week.
In the first game, the Whitecaps rallied to tie the contest at 2-all in the seventh inning, but the Roadrunners scored the game-winner on a walk-off solo homer by AC first baseman Jon “Diesel” Gonzalez in the bottom of the frame for a 3-2 victory. GC reliever Matthew Foley (0-1) was tagged with the loss.
GC opened the scoring in the top of the third inning, 1-0, but AC answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 2-1 lead.
Whitecaps left fielder Zac Daigre went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Viktor Hluchy scored the other GC run.
In the nightcap, the Whitecaps rallied from a three-run deficit to take a 7-6 lead in the top of the ninth. However, GC’s comeback was foiled when the Roadrunners scored twice in the bottom half of the ninth to defeat the visiting Whitecaps, 8-7, and sweep the season opener. GC reliever Hayden Capers (0-1) was credited with the loss.
Daigre went 2-for-5 for the Whitecaps in the second game, scored one run and drove in two more, while first baseman Michal Zelenka hit a three-run homer and catcher Ethan Hughes went 2-for-4.
The Whitecaps’ home opener will be played on Friday against Northeast Texas Community College at 2 p.m. at Bernard Davis Field, located at 81st Street and Frank Guisti Drive in Galveston. GC’s opening weekend will be part of its annual Island Tournament, which will be played Jan. 31-Feb. 2.
In addition to Friday’s home opening game, the Whitecaps will take on Dallas College North Lake on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and wrap up the tournament and home-opening weekend against North Central Texas College on Sunday at noon.
For more information about the Galveston College 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.