BASEBALL: Scots take three games from Olivet
Alma, Mi.- After losing two close games on Sunday, the Scots bounced back today taking three close wins from Olivet College behind solid pitching and good defense.
The first game of today's triple header was the final two innings of a game that was postponed on April 13 at Olivet due to darkness. When the game started, the Scots were at bat in the top of sixth with the scored tied at two. Sophomore Jeremy Stephens (Maple Rapids/Fulton-Middleton) drew a walk before stealing second, putting himself in scoring position. Stephens advanced to third on a sac bunt from senior Mike Slesinski (Milford), and scored on a ground ball off the bat of junior Aaron Assman (Milford) making the score 3-2.
The one run lead proved to be plenty as sophomore Tony Garcia (Lapeer/Lapeer West) came in and pitched the final two innings only giving up one hit in securing the win.
Sophomore pitcher Joe Thiry (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian) started the first of the scheduled games today on the mound for the Scots. He scattered seven hits, two runs, and recorded five strikeouts on his way to tallying the complete game win.
All three of the Scots runs in the 3-2 win came from the top of the lineup. Alma got on the board in the bottom of the first when senior Dan Merian (Milford) reached on a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, stole third, and scored on a grounder hit by freshman Mike McAlpin (Mt. Pleasant).
The Scots scored again in the fifth when freshman Dan Gonzalez-Morales (Lansing/Eastern) singled and then was knocked home by a double from Merian. The winning run came in the bottom of the seventh when Stephens reached on a two base error and scored as the pitcher over threw first base while fielding a sacrifice bunt.
Game three was pitcher's battle as only seven hits were recorded in the 2-1 Scots victory.
Junior Wade Slavik (Ashley/Fulton-Middleton) slung the rock for the Scots striking out three and only allowing six base runners in the seven inning gem.
More small ball provided the Scots' two runs in their third win of the day. In the bottom of inning one, Merian reached on a single, was bunted to second by junior Ray Foley (New Hudson/South Lyon), and scored when teammate Josh Reece, senior from Norton Shores, laced a single through the right side of the infield.
The winning run came in the bottom of the fourth as Slesinski was hit by a pitch, moved to second by a bunt from Reece, reached third when McAlpin grounded out to first, and scored off a single by Stephens.
With the wins, the Scots improve to 7-11 in conference play for the season. Alma travels to Albion this Thursday the 26th for a double header. The game will start at 2 p.m.
Posted: Tue, April 24th, 2007 at 6:19PM
