ALMA, Mich. – The Alma College baseball team finally got back into the swing of things after several postponed games on Friday, April 5th as they hosted the Flying Dutchmen of Hope College. The Scots found themselves in a low-scoring affair thanks to the pitching units on both sides, with Alma coming away with a narrow victory of 2-1.
The bats were sparse for the first several innings, though each team was able to find a couple hits. The pitchers became the starts of the show for the first three innings as they took control of the game. The Flying Dutch came close to scoring in the top of the fourth with a triple that put themselves into scoring position, but Tyler Johnson struck out the next two batters to get out of the jam. Alma was able to break the ice in the bottom of the fourth as Kevin Tuttle led the inning off with a walk, followed by Avery Carnicom then being hit by a pitch. Colin Czajkowski then loaded the bases after he also was walked, putting the Scots into a prime opportunity with no outs. Luke Lindsay then stepped into the batter's box and put a ball into play. Lindsay ultimately hit into a double play as he and Czajkowski would be thrown out on the play, which allowed for Tuttle to score from third and give Alma a 1-0 lead.
The Flying Dutchmen were held scoreless until the sixth, where they were able to tie the game following a double and a stolen base. A pop-up to first would be enough time for Hope to tag up and score, tying the game at one's each side. The Scots had an answer quick as the bottom of the sixth saw another run cross. Kyler Warren led the inning off with a single which was followed up by another single from Tuttle, putting runners on first and second. Carnicom then grounded into a double play as he and Tuttle would be thrown out, though Warren would advance to third, with two outs. Czajkowski would then double to left field and score Warren, giving Alma the go-ahead run they needed. Offense would be scarce for the final innings, though the Flying Dutchmen would find a prime opportunity in the eighth following a triple. Ultimately being thrown out at home would put an end to the Hope chance and being held hitless in the ninth would be enough to put Alma in the win column for a second straight weekend.
Johnson pitched seven innings for the Scots, recording 12 strikeouts and only allowing one run. Hayden Hileman came in as the reliever for the Scots pitching the final two innings. Hileman collected two K's and only allowed one hit, while collecting his third save of the season.
Alma will wrap up their season series with the Flying Dutchmen, on Saturday, April 6th, in Holland at Boeve Stadium on the campus of Hope College. The doubleheader will start at 1:00 PM with the second game to start around 4:00 PM.
