Angola, Ind. - The Alma College baseball team swept host Trine University on Sunday afternoon (April 8) as the Scots and Thunder opened a four-game MIAA series. The Scots have now won six of their last seven contests.

Alma (13-9 overall, 6-4 MIAA) scored twice in the top of the seventh to break a 5-5 tie and capture Game 1, 7-5, while senior Ben Finzel (Saginaw, Mich./Swan Valley) hit a two-run homer in the top of the eighth inning of Game 2 to put the Scots ahead in a 4-3 triumph. 

The series concludes on Monday, April 9, at Klenk Park in Alma, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. Alma is 5-1 at Klenk Park this season. 

Game 1 - Alma 7, at Trine 5

• Alma gave Trine a 3-0 lead after one inning, but outscored the Thunder 7-2 in the final three frames to capture the series opener.
• Down 3-0 heading into the fifth inning, the Scots scored five times in the top half to grab a 5-3 advantage. Alma loaded the bases with no outs before Pete Carravallah hit a double to right field, scoring Jaret Koin and Ben Finzel. During the next at-bat, Austin Roeske scored on a wild pitch.
• Jordan Anstandig walked with one out to put runners on the corners when Vann Acker hit a double, scoring Carravallah. Anstandig scored on the next at-bat after Logan Huff hit a sacrifice fly to center field. 
• Trine tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with two outs, chasing starting pitcher Josh Riggs. Ben Blake came to the mound in relief, recording a strike out to end the inning. 
• After a scoreless sixth inning, the Scots regained the lead in the top of the seventh. With runners on second and third and no outs, Anstandig hit a sacrifice fly to score Carravallah and the game-winning run. Acker hit a sacrifice fly during the next at-bat to score Max Trucks, give Alma a two-run cushion. 
• Riggs finished the game with seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings, while Blake picked up the win after fanning three batters and allowing no runs in 2.1 innings.

Game 2 - Alma 4, at Trine 3

• Alma spotted the Thunder a 3-0 lead again, as the Thunder scored three times in the bottom of the third. The Scots would begin their comeback in the fifth inning, scoring twice.
• With runners on first and third and two outs, Max Trucks reached first on a fielding error by the second baseball, allowing Alex Dwan to score. The next at-bat, Jordan Anstandig doubled down the left field line to score Pete Carravallah and cut the deficit to one run.
• The Scots grabbed the lead in the top of the eighth, scoring another pair of runs with two outs. After the first two batters were put out, Matt Minaudo reach on a single, then Ben Finzel gave Alma a 4-3 lead with a home run over the left field fence.
• Alma's defense sealed the victory, recording a double-play in the bottom of the eighth and stranding two Trine runners in the bottom of the ninth.
• Joseph Barrons went 5.2 innings as the starter, striking out six batters, while Carson Kempa came in to relieve Barrons in the sixth inning, holding Trine off the scoreboard and earning the victory. 

Up Next

Alma will conclude the series with Trine on Monday, April 9, at Klenk Park. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Following the Trine series, the Scots will take on Hope College, with the four-game set scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 12, in Holland.