GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Yavapai College baseball team emerged victorious in game one of Friday afternoon's doubleheader against the Glendale Community College Gauchos with a score of 5-0 to open its 2022 season. In game two, the Roughriders and Gauchos battled to a 5-5 tie after nine complete innings, however, the game was halted due to darkness. 

Game One
Sophomore infielder Kade York and redshirt-sophomore outfielder Amari Bartee both singled to start the game and eventually came around to score on a Glendale error to give the Roughriders an early 2-0 lead. 

In the top of the second, Yavapai elevated its advantage to 4-0 on RBI singles off the bats of sophomore outfielder Brycen Tambone and York. In the top of the fourth, the Roughriders scratched another run across for a 5-0 lead. 

The run support was more than enough for sophomore righty Nate Ward who earned the victory with five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits. Sophomore righty Ben Staiger came on in relief and retired all six batters he faced to bring the contest to a close. 

At the plate, York led the squad with two hits while Bartee, Tambone, redshirt-sophomore outfielder Sean Rimmer and sophomore outfielder Ryland Zaborowski all finished with one. 

Game Two
In game two's nine-inning affair, the Roughriders fell behind early as the Gauchos tallied runs in the third and fourth for a 2-0 lead. 

Down 2-0, the Roughriders rallied and tied the game in the top of the fifth. After walks from freshman infielder Barrett Skaugrud and York, York and pinch runner freshman outfielder Jude Hall double stole with York coming around to score on an error from the double steal. Later in the inning, Bartee brought home York on an RBI groundout to tie the game. 

In the top of the sixth, Yavapai took the lead with another two-spot. This time, freshman catcher Cade Westerlund singled to start the frame and saw his courtesy runner come around to score on a one-out double from freshman infielder Rocco Gump. Later in the inning, Gump came around to score on a fielder's choice, giving the Roughriders a 4-2 lead. 

After the Gauchos tied the ballgame in the bottom of the sixth, Yavapai and Glendale traded zero's in the seventh and eight and went into the ninth tied 4-4.

In the top of the ninth, Bartee doubled with two outs and eventually came around to score. Unfortunately for the Riders, the Gauchos found the equalizer in the bottom half of the inning. Instead of extras, the teams halted play due to darkness. 

On the mound, freshman Ben Zeigler got the start and went four innings, striking out four while surrendering two earned runs. Zeigler then handed the ball to sophomore righty Ethan Bell for 1.2 innings of work. 

After Bell, sophomore righty Tyler Davis threw three frames while striking out four before seeing freshman righty Jackson Thomas get the final out of the contest. 

At the plate, Bartee and Gump finished with two hits while Zaborowski, Westerland and Zeigler all finished with one.  

Up Next
Stay tuned on GoRoughriders.com and all of Yavapai Athletics' social media channels for the status of today's game two result. The Roughriders and Gauchos play another doubleheader Saturday in Glendale, Arizona, with game one's first pitch scheduled for noon. Live stats will be available for both games on GoRoughriders.com/Live.