Hoover, Ala. – Wabash Valley baseball coach Rob Fournier was pleased with what he saw from his team on Opening Day.
"We were very pleased with all facets of our game," said Fournier, fully aware that was no small task considering the blanket of snow that has covered the outdoor complex in Mt. Carmel for nearly a week.
Granted, it was still cold on Saturday when the No. 1 ranked Warriors opened the 2021 season at the Metropolitan Complex in Hoover, Alabama against Bryant & Stratton.
Nonetheless, WVC put up some big offensive numbers in a doubleheader sweep of the Bobcats, winning by 13-1 and 16-4 counts.
There were highlights on the pitching mound as well, including a three-hit, four-inning stint by first-game starter Zac Robinson.
On defense, the Warriors made only one error on the day. And on the bases, they stole eight bases without being caught.
Fournier was also impressed with how his freshman responded to their first junior college tests.
"We had some freshman who stepped up and played really well. Sometimes you worry about freshman and how they will react," Fournier said.
On the day, WVC (2-0) collected 28 hits, 15 coming in the opener, the other 13 in the nitecap.
But it was sophomore centerfielder Curtis Washington, Jr.'s bat which made the most noise. He hit three home runs on the day – two coming in the first game – and gathered five RBIs in the process.
Another sophomore, catcher Knox Preston, had the most hits on the day, going 5-for-8 with two doubles and four RBIs. Freshman third baseman Ryan Rodriguez had three hits, while five others had two hits.
Robinson, who had seven strikeouts over four innings pitched, was "right on cue" in his start, according to Fournier. "He had solid command of the strike zone."
Freshman Zach Westphal put up three innings of scoreless relief.
In the nitecap, Bryant & Stratton (0-2) led 3-2 after two innings, before the Warriors took control with a 5-run third inning, and three more in the fourth.
Preston, who was the DH for this game, was 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the way.
Sophomore lefty Connor Oliver went 2 2/3 innings with the start, and was relieved by Caleb Meeks, who also hurled 2 2/3rds to get the win.
Then, Isaac Crab finished up with another 2 2/3 innings, this time shutting out the Bobcats.
WVC, which has won 12 straight games in a string that began last year, has two single games on the docket for Sunday. At 12 noon, Fournier's team faces Wallace State (2-2) followed by a 3 p.m. game against Lawson State (0-5).
Fournier moved closer to the 1,000-win mark with the sweep. He now has 996 wins during his 25-year career at Wabash Valley.