On an incredibly cold and blustery mid April afternoon, the Alma College Baseball team hit the road as they headed for Grand Rapids, MI to the campus of Calvin College to redeem themselves in a second doubleheader contest against the Knights. Alma lost game one 6-5 in a walk off single and fell 2-1 in game two.

At the conclusion of the day Alma's record fell to 14-18 on the season and 5-15 in the MIAA. Calvin improved their overall record to 15-15 and 12-8 in the MIAA. 

Game One 6-5

As the visitors, Alma saw themselves at the plate first. A lead off single from Sr. Yoan Delrosa (Bronx, NY/Morris) and sacrifice hit put runners in scoring position but two groundouts concluded the inning before a run could be scored.

Calvin put the first run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning as they took the 1-0 lead going into the second inning. The score stayed the same in inning two as the first three batters were retired for both sides.

Entering the top of the third the Scots were unable to cross the plate as they left one runner on base in scoring position. As Calvin took their turn they improved their lead to 3-0, but Alma's defense managed to strand 2 Knight runners on base. 

Alma took off running in the top of the fourth inning as they scored five runs taking their first lead of the game. Starting with the lead off batter three consecutive singles from Jr. C Doug Walters (Brighton/Brighton), Jr. OF Erick Cruz (Brooklyn, NY/Colegio Juan XXIII), and Jr. IF Dayne San Miguel (Wheeler/Breckenridge) loaded the bases for the Scots. A strikeout and groundout retired the next two batters, but a single RBI from So. IF Adam Thoryk (Phoenix, NY/John C. Birdlebaugh) scored a runner giving the Scots their first run at 3-1. 

Jr. OF Jose Corniel (Bronx, NY/Norman Thomas) shot a three run RBI triple moving the runners around the bases. Delrosa followed with an RBI triple scoring Corniel. A groundout ended the inning as the score stood at 5-3 after four.

Calvin didn't answer in the bottom of the fourth but scored one runner in the bottom of the fifth cutting Alma's lead 5-4. 

Alma defense prevailed in the bottom of the sixth even through an error the Scots allowed no runs and kept two Knight runners on base.

In Alma's last attempt to increase their lead in the top of the seventh inning they saw an opportunity. With only one out, Walters walked. Sr. IF Blake Leddy (Saginaw/Swan Valley) singled to left field advancing Walters into scoring position. A strikeout and lineout ended the Scots at bat keeping the score 5-4. 

The Scots gave up two runs on four hits in the bottom of the seventh to lose heartbreaker game one of the doubleheader in a walk off single.

Jr. P Philip Jock (Wales/Memphis) was first on the mound for the Scots pitching 4.0 innings allowing four runs on five hits, walking four, and striking out four. Sr. P Eric Strickler (Lapeer/Lapeer East) threw two innings allowing one run on two hits all while striking out two and walking two. Jr. P Blake Ordiway (Holly/Holly) got the loss as he pitched 0.1 of an inning allowing three hits and one run. 

Walters went 2-3 on the day and Delrosa was 2-4 with a run scoring triple. Corniel led the team with three RBI's as he batted 1-2 on the day.

Game Two 2-1 

Scots started some offense in game two as lead off batter Delrosa walked. Fr. IF Austin Roeske (Warren/Warren De La Salle) reached base on a fielder's choice. Walters singled through the left side moving the runner to scoring position. A fly out and force out at third base brought the rally to an end leaving two Scot runners on base. 

The game remained knotted at zero through two innings but this time Alma was the first to cross the plate. Delrosa singled to right center and Roeske put down a sacrifice bunt to put the runner in scoring position. San Miguel hit a single to second base. A Calvin error gave the Scots their first run as Scot runner Delrosa crossed the plate.

So. P Alex Valasek was on the mound as he struck out four Knight batters through the third and fourth inning yet an Alma error resulted in a run for the Knights making the game 1-1 through four innings. 

Alma landed runners on base in the fifth and sixth inning but a double play and other defensive stops resulted in no runs for the Scots leaving the game 1-1 until the bottom of the sixth. Alma errors helped Calvin cross the plate bringing the score 2-1 through six full innings.

Alma attempted to answer for the last time of the day in the top of the seventh inning but three strikeouts on four batters ended the day for the Scots as they lost game two 2-1. 

Valasek pitched a complete game but earned the loss moving his record to 2-3 on the season. He gave up two runs on two hits, both of the runs were unearned. All while striking out 10 and walking only two.

Corniel and San Miguel went 2-3 in game two. Roeske had two sacrifice hits, while Delrosa and Corniel both tallied a stolen base. 

The Scots will be back in action Thursday, April 23, at home as they host Hope College in a doubleheader starting at 2:00 p.m.