Gaston College challenged but still unbeaten after doubleheader sweep at 2021 NJCAA World Series participant

Unbeaten Gaston College knew it would face a challenge this weekend in a three-game series at 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association Division II World Series participant Patrick & Henry Community College in Martinsville, Va.

And while the Rhinos were challenged on Saturday, they've come out of the first two games of the series still unbeaten after taking 11-2 and 13-10 victories.

"It's a great day to be a Rhino!" Gaston College coach Shohn Doty said after the wins improved his team's record to 10-0 overall and 5-0 in Region 10.

Previously unbeaten Patrick & Henry, ranked 10th in the preseason NJCAA Division II poll, fell to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in Region 10.

Rhinos' ace pitcher Zach Zedalis started Saturday's opener and struck out seven while yielding two hits and three walks in 6 1-3 innings of an opening game victory shortened from nine to seven innings by the 8-run mercy rule; Zedalis improved his seasonal record to 4-0.

In the nightcap, the Rhinos fell behind 6-0 but scored 13 runs in the third through sixth innings - many with two outs - to complete the sweep.

"The first game was Zach being Zach," Doty said of his right-handed pitcher who has signed to play at the University of South Carolina. "His fastball was good like usual but his off speed pitches were really good as well.
"In the second game, I'm not sure we were ready to go because I think we were still in the moment of the first game. But give them credit. There's a reason they went to the World Series last year and they came out strong. But our guys were really resilient."

That they were.

Trailing 6-0 after two innings, Gaston College scored three times after two were out in the third, then scored four times after two were out in the fourth inning to take a 7-6 lead.

Then after Patrick & Henry reclaimed the lead at 8-7 after four innings, pinch-hitter Arnav Ghuliani's two-run home run gave the Rhinos take the lead for good in a four-run fifth inning.

"We had so many great at-bats today," Doty said. "The kids just kept grinding and working at the plate."

Ahmir Cournier had four hits and three RBIs, Chandler Riley four hits and two RBIs and Trenton Snyder three hits and six RBIs in Saturday's victories.

Also, the third of three pitchers in Saturday's nightcap, Marlowe Iorio, struck out four in three innings of relief for the pitching victory.

"We've got a chance for a sweep against a really, really good team," Doty said. "It's a great opportunity for our team."