Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Baseball Team (12-2) swept a doubleheader from Salem International (1-9), 14-3 and 6-2, Saturday afternoon at Bears Field.

Game One – Lenoir-Rhyne 14,
Salem International 3
Lenoir-Rhyne senior shortstop Matthew De La Rosa (Austin, Texas) hit a home run and drove in five runs to lead the Bears to the victory.

Lenoir-Rhyne took control early thanks to a four-run first inning highlighted by two-run single from De La Rosa and the Bears pushed their advantage to 11-1 after five innings of play.

Lenoir-Rhyne sophomore outfielder Marcus Shoemaker (Colfax, N.C.) and senior designated hitter Will Thompson (Spartanburg, S.C.) both drove in a pair of runs while sophomore Austin Hancock (Defiance, Ohio) improved to 2-0 with the win.

Hancock allowed just two runs while striking out eight batters while Colton Lankford (Rowlett, Texas) (0-1) suffered the loss for the Tigers.

Box Score

Game Two – Lenoir-Rhyne 6, Salem International 2 (seven innings)
Once again, the Bears took charge early – aided by a three-run first inning – on their way to the sweep.  De La Rosa drove in two more runs including an RBI double in the first inning.

De La Rosa and senior designated hitter Ryan Perkins (Woodruff, S.C.) both finished with three hits while junior Thomas St. Clair (Winston-Salem, N.C.) (1-0) was credited with the win for the Bears.

In addition, Lenoir-Rhyne junior John Curtis (Lenoir, N.C.) pitched the final three innings for his first save of the year.  Salem International's Talon Kunkel (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CANADA) fell to 0-2 after taking the loss.

Box Score

The two teams wrap up the weekend series with a single game on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.