ALMA, Mich. – The Alma College baseball team hosted their first home game of the year on Thursday, March 30th, against the Flying Dutchmen of Hope College. The Scot opened up MIAA play with a win at Klenk Park before completing the series later this weekend in Holland.

Kicking off the offense for the Scots was Avery Carnicom who was able to reach base after wearing a pitch on the sleeve. Tony Smith then sent Carnicom home from first on a double, putting Alma up 1-0 after the first.

Both teams would be held scoreless for the next several innings until Alma had a breakout inning in the bottom of the fourth. Leading off the inning, Padyn Kesselring singled into center field and advanced to second on an error by the outfielder. Following directly after, Dalton D'Alexander laid down a well-played bunt and reached first while Kesselring advanced to third. Cameron Bleasdale then singled into left field and advanced D'Alexander to third while Kesselring scored, putting the Scots up 2-0. Bleasdale then stole second during the next at bat before Mitch Foley would single and score both runners on second and third to put Alma up 4-0 without an out yet. Foley would end up using his speed and stealing second before Kevin Tuttle singled and put runners on the corners. Carnicom then put a ball into right center for a single and Foley scored while Tuttle advanced to third. Tuttle scored on the following play as Cole Grunwald reached first by a fielder's choice as Carnicom was thrown out at second. The Scots would tally their final run of the inning as Grunwald scored on a wild pitch and Alma went into the top of the fifth with a 7-0 lead.

The Flying Dutchmen scored their first run of the game in the seventh and added another in the eighth to bring themselves within five. In the bottom of the eighth, Foley and Tuttle both singled, putting runners on first and second. Grunwald added another RBI for the day when he singled to left center and allowed for Foley to cross home for another time in the contest. Alma headed into the ninth with an 8-2 lead. Hope showed some life in the ninth as they scored two early runs, looking as if they were rallying for a comeback, but reliever Chase Balhoff was able to quiet the bats down and lock up Alma's second win of the week.

Tyler Johnson started on the mound for Alma to open up the MIAA Conference season, as he struck out ten Hope batters in seven innings of action. Johnson only allowed one run during his time and only allowed five total hits.

Alma will now have Friday off due to weather as the game was moved up a day, but will return to action on Saturday, April 1st, when they travel to Holland to close out the series with a doubleheader. The first game will start at 1:00PM with the second to follow shortly after the completion of the first.

Stay up to date with the latest news, schedules, scores, recaps and more by downloading the official mobile app for Alma College Athletics. Search "Alma Scots Front Row" in the Apple App Store or on Google Play and download today for free.

Story Credit: Eli Pinter, Sports Information Intern