HOWELL, Mich. – The Alma College baseball team played their first games of the season in their home state of Michigan versus the Cougars of Cleary University, on Saturday, March 8th. Cleary snagged both games in the Saturday doubleheader by final scores of 7-4 and 8-4.
Cleary notched the first run of the game in the first inning after a triple led to a sacrifice fly, putting the Cougars up 1-0. The Scots answered back in the fourth inning as Kyler Warren connected for a triple of his own. Alexander Kavalick then singled to right field, scoring Warren and tying the game.
Alma then took their first lead of the game in the top of the fifth, leading off with a Tony Smith home run to right field, putting Alma up 2-1. Following the homer, Giuseppe Sapienza reached first on an error before Ethan Krafft was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second. Mitch Foley loaded the bases on a single to center field following the previous play. Alma would put the next ball in play, though the fielder's choice was able to protect home base and get the out, still loading the bases and keeping the run off the board. Cameron Bleasdale brought in a runner the next at bat as he reached first on an error, scoring Lucas Dunham who pinch ran for Krafft, and putting Alma up 3-1.
The bottom of the fifth proved to be costly for the Scots as Cleary was able to drive in six unanswered runs, retaking the lead from Alma and sitting comfortably in the driver's seat. The Scots were able to continue finding runs on offense as the sixth saw another run come in. Ryan Kracht reached first on an error before stealing second to place himself into scoring position. Sapienza would single up the middle, scoring Kracht in the process and advancing to second on another error. The runs would stop there for the Scots for the remainder of the game, as Cleary came away with a game one win, 7-4 in seven innings.
Tyler Johnson started on the mound for Alma going for four and two-thirds innings and recording 10 strikeouts, his third straight game in the double-digits for K's. Ken Fistler and Evan Litwiller came in as relievers for the Scots as well.
Shortly following the conclusion of the first game, both teams lined back up and proceeded on with game two of the day. Cleary took the first lead once again in game two, scoring three runs in the third inning, before adding two more in the fifth inning while holding the Scots scoreless through five. Alma's offense came about in the sixth, leading off with Brant Goodpaster singling to right field, followed by Warren with a single to right center. Bleasdale would continue the with the trend of singles as he knocked one through the right side that was able to score Goodpaster, bringing Alma within four. Kavalick followed behind by reaching first on an error, which was able to score Warren, bringing the score to 5-2 in favor of the Cougars.
Cleary added another solo run in the seventh to extend their lead back to four, with Alma coming back up to bat in the top of the eighth. Goodpaster led the eighth off with a bunt single putting himself on the base path. Warren then stepped into the box and sent a ball over the left center wall for a two-run shot, bringing Alma back within two. The Scots would be held scoreless following the home run as Cleary added two more runs to take an 8-4 lead in the eighth, the eventual final score.
Cole Grunwald started the game on the mound for Alma pitching for two innings and recording a strikeout. Alex Hardacre came in as relief, going three innings and collecting a career-high five strikeouts. Josh West also saw action on the mound with four strikeouts in two innings, followed by Ryan Koob with one strikeout in one inning.
Alma will return to action for two more games against the Cougars tomorrow, Sunday March 9th, in Howell, Michigan. First pitch for game one is set for 1:00 PM with game two to follow shortly after the conclusion of the first.
