DETROIT, Mich. – The Alma College baseball team loaded the buses and headed to Detroit for a midweek under the lights match up against the Beavers of Bluffton University at Comerica Park. The Scots put themselves on the scoreboard early and did not let off the gas in the "Motor City" as they were able to score a win in the Major League ballpark by a final score of 11-6.
In the bottom of the first, Avery Carnicom was able to record the first hit for the Scots to kick start the bats as he doubled to left field, putting himself into scoring position early. Colin Czajkowski then drew a walk leading to a Kyler Warren single that scored Carnicom, giving Alma an early 1-0 lead. The Scots tacked on two more in the second beginning with Dalton D'Alexander leading off with a double down the left field line. Stephen McGlade sent D'Alexander home also with a double to left field before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Mitch Foley. Kevin Tuttle's sacrifice fly following the bunt would be enough to score McGlade to put the Scots up 3-0 through two.
The Scots put more gas in the tank in the fourth inning, tacking on five unanswered runs. Mitch Foley was the first Scot to reach base after being struck with a pitch, and advancing to second on a balk. Tuttle then put runners on the corners with a single to center field with Carnicom stepping up to the plate. Carnicom would ultimately reach first on a throwing error by the Beavers, which turned out to be enough to score both Foley and Tuttle. Czajkowski followed up Carnicom with a single to short stop, putting runners at first and second as Warren stepped into the box. Warren then found his pitch and took it to deep left field, where it would fly over the wall and score three more runs to put Alma up 8-0 through four.
The Scots would then quiet the offensive engine down until the bottom of the sixth, where Warren led the inning off with a single and was followed up by Kavalick with another single up the middle, placing warren on second. D'Alexander then collected an RBI on a single through the left side to score Warren and advance the Scots lead to nine. The top of the seventh is where the Beavers would break through as they were able to score their first run and follow it up with five more to bring the score to 9-6, creating some drama coming down the stretch. Alma put together a response in the bottom of the inning as Tuttle would reach on an error and Carnicom would reach with a single. Czajkowski then advanced Tuttle to third on a fielder's choice, before advancing to second on a wild pitch during the next at bat. Warren continued his dominance at the plate as he placed a single into left field, scoring both Tuttle and Czajkowski to give the Scots their 11 runs.
In the non-conference action, Chase Balhoff got the nod to start on the mound for the Scots, going for three innings while striking out one and collecting the win. Cam Jones, Ken Fistler, Ryan Koob, Tyler Lasley and Alex Hardacre all saw action on the bump as well, combining for four strikeouts. Warren had a Major League outing in the batter's box going 5 for 5 with a home run and six RBI to lead the Scots offensively. Four Scots were able to connect for doubles in the "D", a key part in the Scots win on the night.
Alma will now leave Detroit behind for the NFL Draft taking place tomorrow as they will prepare to finish the suspended game against the Adrian Bulldogs that took place on March 29th, at 4PM back inside Klenk Park tomorrow. The Scots and Bulldgos will pick up in the 10th inning with the score tied 13-13, in a game to determine the series and MIAA standings.
