Centerville, IA – A 15-run second inning highlighted an offensive outburst for the Indian Hills Baseball team in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XI DI Baseball Tournament opening round on Friday as the Warriors topped Marshalltown 28-4.
The second-seeded Warriors produced the team's most runs in a single game dating back to the 2000 season. The 32 combined runs between the two teams are the most in a Region XI postseason game featuring Indian Hills since a 2008 slugfest that saw Iowa Western Community College upend Indian Hills 22-15.
The top three hitters in the Warrior lineup Friday each collected four hits as Daniel Figueroa (Toa Alta, Puerto Rico/Leadership Christian Academy), Ricardo Van Grieken (Merida, Venezuela/San Luis), and Tucker Ebest (Austin, TX/Lasa) combined to go 12-15 at the plate with 14 RBI and 11 runs scored.
Diego Aragon (Fort Collins, CO/Fort Collins) added three hits, including a home run to go along with four RBI. Noah Butler (Houston, TX/Goose Creek Memorial) was 3-5 with three RBI and three runs scored.
After missing the team's previous 16 games due to an injury, Thomas Emerich (Ava, MO/Ava) made a return to the lineup and added two hits, including a two-run home run.
Van Grieken opened the game with a triple, double, and single in the first two innings. The team's top RBI producer on the year finished the game 4-5 at the plate.
Ebest provided a career day at the plate, going 4-4 with a career-high eight RBI. Ebest singled and homered and collected five RBI in the second inning alone. Ebest finished a double shy of the cycle after collecting a triple in the sixth inning that scored two more.
Arturo Rodrigurez (San Diego, CA/San Ysidro) earned the win on the mound for the Warriors. Rodriguez worked five innings and allowed just two earned runs. Andrew Beissner (Houston, TX/St. Pius X) worked a scoreless sixth in relief.
With the win, the Warriors advance in the Region XI Tournament and will take on top-seeded Iowa Western Community College at 3:00 PM on Friday. The winner advances to the championship round on Saturday. Marshalltown will take on No. 4 seed Southwestern Community College at 12:00 PM in an elimination game at Pat Daugherty Field.
For tournament scores, stats, updates, and more, visit: NJCAA REGION XI TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
Fans can view every pitch of the NJCAA Region XI DI Baseball Tournament by downloading the GoHillsTV app on their smartphone or tablet device, visiting www.gohillstv.com/browse, or on the GoHillsTV Facebook page.
Off the light pole ��@diegoaragon_ sent this one �������� to right for a solo shot. @IHCCBaseball all over Marshalltown in Game 2 of the @NJCAABaseball Region XI tourney. pic.twitter.com/B5lbNKGnfJ
— GoHillsTV (@GoHillsTv) May 12, 2022
