GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Alma College baseball team continued their season series against the Calvin University Knights on Wednesday, April 12th. The Scots battled back from an early deficit and tied the game in the ninth, but would ultimately fall in walk-off fashion.

Alma put themselves on the scoreboard first in the first inning with a triple to right center by Kyler Warren that scored Leadoff hitter Kevin Tuttle after his single to right center. The Knights responded in the bottom of the first with six runs to take a five-score lead over the Scots. Calvin would tally on seven more between the third and fourth innings to really pull away from Alma. With two more runs in the fifth, Calvin held a 15-1 lead heading into the sixth inning.

The top of the sixth started out with a Cole Grunwald walk followed by a Warren walk. Jacob Cornman singled up the middle and was able to score Grunwald, starting Alma's comeback. Padyn Kesselring followed directly behind with a single into center field, scoring Warren. Dalton D'Alexander also singled to center field, knocking in an RBI with Taha Ebrahim scoring as the pinch runner for Cornman. The bases would become loaded during the next at bat as Preston Schroyer was walked, setting the stage for Mitch Foley. Foley would reach first on a fielder's choice with Schroyer being thrown out at second but Kesselring was able to cross home. Tuttle then was hit by a pitch which loaded the bases again setting the stage this time for Avery Carnicom. With a single through the left side, Carnicom would knock in two runs, moving the score to 15-7 in favor of the Knights. After Warren reached first by an error, Wyatt Nyswaner was able to draw a walk which sent home another run for the Scots. Kesselring in his second at bat of the inning sent a ball into center field and rounded first to reach second on a double and cleared the bases in front of him. Alma would add another run off of a Calvin error and end the top of the sixth inning scoring 11 runs, bringing the score to 15-12 Calvin.

Leading off the seventh, Tuttle reached first on an error, but was sent home quickly as Carnicom doubled into center field. Grunwald was able to reach first on a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt as Carnicom reached third. Nyswaner would send a ball high into center field which was caught but Carnicom was able to tag up and bring the Scots within one run, 14-15.

In the bottom of the seventh, Calvin would score on a single to take a two-run lead again. The eighth inning would be held scoreless from both teams, leaving Alma with three outs to try to tie or win the game. Nyswaner made it to first on a crucial single to put Alma on the bases before Kesselring reached first on a fielder's choice but both runners were safe after a throwing error. D'Alexander singled to right field after a wild pitch that placed both runners into scoring position and allowed for them to cross home and tie the game at 17 aside. The Scots would be held off the scoreboard the rest of the ninth before Calvin would score on a walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth to spoil the Scots comeback. 

Cameron Bleasdale was the starting pitcher for the Scots as he recorded a strikeout before Brendan McManus came in for relief and recorded two more strikeouts. 

Alma will now have two days off before hosting Trine University on Saturday at Klenk Park on the campus of Alma College. The doubleheader will start. 1:00 PM with the second to start around 4:00 PM.

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Story Credit: Eli Pinter, Sports Information Intern