Rodriguez Throws Complete Game Shutout

CRETE, Neb. — Gabe Rodriguez fired a four-hit shutout and Doane capitalized on early pressure and aggressive baserunning to defeat Waldorf 2-0 in the opening game of a GPAC doubleheader on Saturday at Doane Ballfield Complex.

Rodriguez went the distance for the Tigers, allowing just four hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out four. The right-hander needed only 88 pitches and induced 15 ground-ball outs as Doane moved to 16-4 overall and 3-0 in conference play.

Doane scored what proved to be the winning run in the first inning. Grant Sommers singled with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. After Tanner Nelson reached on an error, Gage Ryba entered as a pinch runner and stole second while Sommers swiped home to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

The Tigers added an insurance run in the second. Thaden Wewel walked, stole second and came home on Brayden Jones' single that was misplayed in left field, pushing the lead to 2-0.

That was enough support for Rodriguez, who worked out of the few threats Waldorf created. The Warriors put runners at the corners with two outs in the fourth, but Rodriguez got out of the jam on a groundout. He also erased a fifth-inning baserunner with a popped-up double play and closed the game by retiring three of the final four batters.

Waldorf starter Brandon Berg was solid despite taking the loss, allowing two runs — one earned — on five hits over six innings. He struck out three and walked three.

Sommers, Jones, Max Harris, Sam Kwapnioski and Jordan Bond each recorded one hit for Doane. Bond doubled in the fifth, while Harris, Wewel, Adam Vulcano and Ryba helped fuel the offense with seven stolen bases.

Ryland Humphrey led Waldorf at the plate, going 2-for-3. AJ Toulouse and Dylan Battye each added a hit for the Warriors, who dropped to 7-16 overall and 0-3 in the GPAC.

Doane and Waldorf will continue the four-game conference series with the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

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