HOLLAND, Mich. – The Alma College baseball team completed their season series with Hope College on Monday, April 3rd. The Scots were down early in both games but fought back in each game to battle until the end. The Scots were defeated in game one of the doubleheader by a final score of 4-2 and in game two by a final score of 7-3.

In game one, each team was held scoreless in the first inning before Hope would break the ice in the bottom of the second. The Flying Dutchmen scored three runs in the second to take an early 3-0 lead in the contest. The Scots were able to get some momentum going in the fourth starting with a single to left field by Wyatt Nyswaner. Sheldon Huff was able to draw a walk two batters later and advanced Nyswaner to second, into scoring position. Cameron Bleasdale then sent Nyswaner home and put Alma on the board with a single while advancing Huff to second. Alma left the inning cutting into the Hope lead, 3-1. 

In the fifth, Alma's offensive momentum kept rolling as Avery Carnicom was able to stay patient at the plate and draw a walk to get on base. Nyswaner was able to reach first a few batters later after being hit by a pitch, moving Carnicom into scoring position. Kyler Warren would then connect for a single and allow for Carnicom to round third at cross home for the second Alma tally of the game. Ultimately, this would be the final run scored for Alma in game one and the Flying Dutchmen would add one more to seal the victory. 

Cam Jones started on the mound for Alma and was able to record four strikeouts in his four innings of action.

In game two on the day, both teams stayed quiet in the first couple innings as the Flying Dutchmen again struck first. In the third inning, Hope was able to knock in a run on a sacrifice fly and take the first lead of the game. The Flying Dutchmen added another run in the sixth inning and two in the seventh to take a 4-0 lead over the Scots heading into the eighth. Alma looked to fight back in the eighth as Mitch Foley got the ball in play and reached first on a single to left field. Carnicom also singled which then put runners on first and second with Cole Grunwald stepping up to the plate. Grunwald followed suit and singled sending Foley home and Carnicom to third, cutting into the lead. Wyatt Nyswaner kept the streak going with another single, this time to shortstop and allowed for Carnicom to score and advancing Grunwald to second, moving the score to 4-2. Warren tallied an RBI single at the next at bat when he scored Grunwald and brought Alma within one. Hope added three of their own in the bottom of the eighth to regain a stable lead and Alma would be held scoreless in the final inning, dropping the second of the day to the Flying Dutchmen.

Freshman Zac Olesuk got the start in game two and was able to record five strikeouts and only three hits in five innings on the bump. Colin Danek came in for relief for Alma and tallied two K's while Chase Balhoff recorded a strikeout late in the game. 

Alma will head to Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 4th, to take on Calvin University in another MIAA matchup. First pitch is set for 4:00 PM.

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Story Credit: Eli Pinter, Sports Information Intern