Suns Take Game 1 from No. 6 Thunderducks

DALLAS – Dallas College Cedar Valley's baseball team beat sixth-ranked Dallas College Richland 8-2 Wednesday to begin a three-game series.

The Suns (21-23, 7-15 Dallas Athletic Conference) won their third straight game, while the Thunderducks (26-20, 15-7) dropped their third straight.

Cedar Valley left fielder Ryan Hernandez was 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI, and third baseman Julio Cuotto went 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. They accounted for half of the Suns' 10 hits.

The Suns took a 4-0 lead in the third after putting up three runs. They extended the lead to 6-0 in the fifth. Richland cut the deficit to four after scoring a run in the sixth and another in the eighth. But the Suns responded with two more in the ninth to put it away.

Cedar Valley starter Drake McIver (4-5) allowed a run on six hits and a walk in seven innings to get the win on the mound. Caden Nachtigall worked the final two innings, allowing a run on two hits and two walks. He had four strikeouts.

Suns second baseman Jovan Bernal was 1 for 3 with a pair of RBI. Designated hitter Lane Atherton went 1 for 5, and drove in two runs. Catcher Nathan Tucker had a hit and a stolen base. Center fielder Rendon Garcia and first baseman Elyjah Anderson each had a hit.

Each of the Suns' top seven hitters in the lineup recorded at least one hit.

Game 2 is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Richland with Game 3 moving to Cedar Valley at noon Saturday.