Galveston College starting sophomore pitchers John Alkire and Jacob Cyr each tossed back-to-back shutouts and the Whitecaps offense provided clutch hitting to complete a three-game sweep on Friday over Wharton Junior Community College.
Alkire pitched eight innings of five-hit ball to help the Whitecaps slip past the Pioneers,1-0, in the first game of the doubleheader, while Cyr hurled six innings and scattered nine hits before Cade Wallace came on in relief to shut the door on Wharton and preserve the visitors’ 4-0 victory in the nightcap.
With the pair of wins, GC improved to 22-14 overall and 10-7 in conference play, and have won four of their last five games. In addition, the Whitecaps took over third place in the NJCAA DI Region 14 South Conference, trailing only Blinn College (13-4) and San Jacinto College-North (13-4). With the loss, WJCC dropped to 21-14 overall and 8-9 in the conference.
“Alkire and Cyr each pitched good games and we got some clutch hitting from our offense to sweep a pair of very close games,” said Galveston College Head Baseball Coach, Brian Reinke. “Wharton is a competitive team and these are the games we have to win to keep us in the hunt for a spot in the regional tournament.”
In the opening game, both squads engaged in a pitching duel which didn’t see an outcome until the eighth inning, when Whitecaps left fielder Zachary Daigre, who went 2-for-4, drove in leadoff hitter and center fielder Kyeler Thompson to score the game-winning run. Alkire closed out the bottom of the inning to register the victory and struck out nine during the game.
The nightcap also saw a pitching battle for much of the game. Cyr was supported with a run in the opening inning, which proved to be the game-winner. He received some insurance with another run in the sixth and two more in the seventh and final inning to win, 4-0.
GC’s Daigre, right fielder Saul Soto (two), and third baseman Brody Atwood drove in the game-winning runs, and designated hitter Cameran Christ, Thompson, Daigre and Atwood scored for the Whitecaps.
The Whitecaps will be back in action at 1 p.m. on April 2 when they pay a visit to Alvin Community College. Alvin CC will return the favor with a visit to GC at 6 p.m. on April 4 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 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.