by Kevin Buczek
FLORENCE, S.C.-Freshman Rafael Ruiz Velasco posted the only victory for Barton College in an 8-1 non-conference loss to 20th ranked Francis Marion University in men's tennis action Saturday afternoon at Kassab Courts.
The Patriots – ranked sixth in the Southeast Region – start the season 1-0 overall. The Bulldogs slipped to 0-2.
Ruiz (2-0) remained undefeated in dual matches to begin his first season at Barton, defeating FMU sophomore Gavin Davison in straight sets. The Madrid, Spain, native won both sets my matching 6-2 scores.
Francis Marion swept doubles competition including a forfeit win because of an injury to BC freshman Daniel Radu kept him out of the lineup.
Ruiz teamed up with sophomore Max Leppert to take on 12th ranked doubles team in the nation. Davison and senior Alex Caspari were tested by Ruiz-Leppert but eventually won the top doubles draw 8-4. Sophomore Jorge Pradilla and freshman Nick Genest dropped the other doubles match to the sophomore duo of Eimon Heywood and Marius Wahlier by a 8-3 margin.
Genest was unable to keep playing after doubles because of injury. Barton then had to forfeit the bottom two positions in the lineups which gave the Patriots the team victory before any serves was made in singles.
Caspari was able to defeat Leppert in a match-up of German's in the first flight by a score of 6-1, 6-2. Caspari is a reigning All-American that is currently the 10th ranked singles player in NCAA Division II.
Junior Tim Ruepke and freshman Arnaud Holl tacked on the Patriots final points with set sweeps at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Reupke downed Pradilla by a 6-4, 6-1 score and Holl rolled to a 6-0, 6-0 win over freshman Mihnea Tomos, who was playing up two positions in the lineup due to the injuries by Radu and Genest.
Barton will host North Greenville University in its home and Conference Carolinas opener on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m.
