After arriving in the Dominican Republic on Monday and spending the day with Orfanto Niñas de Cristo girls orphanage on Tuesday, the Kignsmen began their play Wednesday morning against Paulino Academy in San Pedro. Paulino Academy is a Dominican baseball organization that recruits local athletes from villages, offering them living arrangements and the opportunity to be scouted and signed by a Major League Baseball team.
In the first inning of today’s ballgame, the Kingsmen jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead on just one hit––a two-run double by designated hitter Blake Bevis. Bryce Frederick added a sac fly and Bevis would score on a wild pitch later in the frame. Caleb Cox got the start for the Kingsmen and pitched a scoreless first inning while striking out two.
The second inning was busy for both teams, but no runs would cross the plate. The Kingsmen were able to load the bases on an error and two hit by pitches but failed to pad the lead while Cox, who began to struggle with command, walked two and hit a batter of his own. However, a strikeout and two unsuccessful stolen base attempts would end the frame without any hurt.
After a relatively quiet third inning for both teams, the Kingsmen would add three runs to their lead to make it a 7-0 ballgame. To begin the inning, the bottom of the lineup singled three consecutive times with the third, coming off the bat of Jack Davis, scoring Ryan Fluharty. After two quick outs, Jack Austin and Davis scored on wild pitches to cap off the three run inning.
Cox continued for the Kingsmen in the fourth and pitched a perfect inning to end his day. After fighting through command trouble, the lefty from North Greenville threw four shutout innings allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out seven.
The Kingsmen offense added three more in the fifth as a result of two hits, four walks, and a sacrifice fly from shortstop Aidan Rice. Bevis took over for Cox on the mound and had a stress free inning. After allowing a lead off single, the two way player induced a double play and picked up a strikeout to end the frame. Entering the sixth and final inning, the Kingsmen led 10-0.
In the top of the sixth, the Kingsmen again picked up three more runs capped by a Mikah Conner two-run double. In the bottom half, Bevis allowed one batter to reach on an error but he would not score as the Kingsmen won their first game in the Dominican Republic, 13-0.
Following the game, the two teams gathered around the pitcher’s mound for a prayer and listened to Colin Patterson’s testimony. Afterwards, the Kingsmen gifted the Paulino players with New Testaments to help them grow in their faith if they choose to welcome Jesus Christ into their lives.
Tomorrow, the Kingsmen will spend the day helping our translator, Kike, lay the concrete roof on his home in San Pedro before playing again on Friday in Boca de Chavon. Stay tuned for more Kingsmen Baseball news and updates as they continue their Dominican Republic missionary work.
Colin Patterson Postgame Interview:
Coach Joe Hudak Postgame Interview:
