ALMA, Mich. – A couple rain-outs and rescheduled games later, the Alm College baseball team finally face off against the Comets of The University of Olivet on Monday, April 28th. The Scots took both games of the doubleheader at home by final scores of 15-2 and 11-1, both in seven innings.
The offense found its stride early for the Scots, putting up a five-spot in the first inning of game one. Cameron Bleasdale led the Scots off with a double to right field as Alexander Kavalick trailed behind with a single to right field, placing runners at the corners. Kavalick stole second during Ryan Kracht's at bat, before Kracht was walked to load the bases. Alma's first run came on a sacrifice fly out from Kyler Warren, scoring Bleasdale at third, with two outs. The bases were once again loaded as Stephen McGlade drew a walk at the plate. Clearing the bases other than himself, Brant Goodpaster roped a ball into left field for a double, scoring all runners, putting Alma up 4-0. Goodpaster then came back to where he started just shortly after as Braden Andrejack singled, scoring Goodpaster for Alma's fifth run of the inning.
Olivet cut into the lead in the top of the second off an error and a sacrifice bunt to advance a runner forward before a base hit game them their first run of the game. The bottom of the second did not see the Scots let off as Kavalick scored the first run if the inning off a solo home run over the left center field wall, clearing it with ease. Alma brought the game back to a five-run lead heading into third.
Picking up in the fourth, Kracht led the inning off with another deep ball over the left field wall, giving the outfielder no chance for another Alma run on the board. Tony Smith then knocked a ball into left center, placing him on first as McGlade stepped up to bat. McGlade copied Kracht and sent another ball in the same vicinity, again over the left field wall for a two-run homer, putting Alma on top, 9-1.
After some scoreless innings passed on both sides, the sixth inning saw Olivet gain a run back though the Scots offense put the pedal down and added more runs. Kracht led the inning off with a single and advanced to second during the play. Gavin Berger came in as a pinch hitter, singling to left center and also advancing to second, while Kracht made it safely to third. A Warren walk ended up loading the bases before Goodpaster popped up to second base, as Kracht bolted home to score on the throw. Warren and Berger also advanced forward a base during the throw towards home. Andrejack ended up sending Warren and Berger home on a single up the middle, bringing the Scots lead to ten. After Luke Lindsay was hit by a pitch, Bleasdale doubled down the right field line, scoring Andrejack for the 13th run of the game. Lindsay would score the 14th on a wild pitch before Kavalick doubled which would score Bleasdale and bring Alma to 15 runs.
Pitching for the Scots in game one was Tyler Sparks getting the start, working for six innings, allowing five hits and striking out four. Tommy Ches closed out the final inning, striking out two to write the script for game one.
Returning to action for game two, Alma locked up the series and looked to sweep the Comets for the first time in several years. The Scots picked right up where they left off in the game prior as Bleasdale led the Scots off with another base hit through the right side. Kavalick also didn't skip a beat as he clobbered a pitch to left field, again near the same location, for a two-run shot to put Alma up two.
In the second, Mitch Foley led the Scots offense off with a single to center before Kavalick would wear a pitch to put runners on first and second. A wild pitch brought both runners 90 feet closer, leading to another wild pitch that score Kavalick for run number three.
Jumping to the fourth inning, Foley led the Scots off with a walk followed by a Bleasdale single, advancing Foley to third with his speed. Kavalick ended up drawing a walk and Bleasdale took off for second before the pitch, causing the catcher to throw down to second where the ball squeaked through and allowed for Foley to score. The next at bat saw Kracht reach first on an error in the left field, scoring Bleasdale for another Alma run. Kavalick would advance to third on a fielder's choice that put runner son the corners for Goodpaster. A high fly ball to center field was enough to score Kavalick from third for Goodpaster and his sacrifice fly. Following Warren and Andrejack walks, Connor Grant placed a base hit through the left side, scoring Warren and Lucas Dunham, who pinch ran for Jack McIntosh.
Leading 8-0, Olivet scored their lone run of the game in the sixth on back-to-back doubles, bringing the Comets within seven. IN the bottom of the inning, back-to-back errors for the Comets put Goodpaster and Warren on base for the Scots. Grant singled to right center, enough to score Goodpaster for an Alma 9-1 lead.
In the seventh, looking to close out the game early, the Scots found their last two runs they needed for the series sweep. Following a single and a walk, Goodpaster batted a single up the middle to score Kracht, putting Alma in double-digits at ten. With runners on second and third, Warren was walked, loading the bases for Andrejack to close out the game. A second consecutive walk drove in the Scots 11th run, putting them up by ten and ending the game.
Cade Sutherland got the nod for game two, pitching for six innings as well, allowing three hits and striking out three along the road. Hayden Hileman returned to the mound to close out the game, striking out two for his one inning of work.
Alma will now focus on their final regular season series with the Hornets of Kalamazoo College. The battle between higher seeds in the MIAA could prove costly heading into the final week of the regular season. Alma will host the single on Friday, May 2nd, for their final home game of the season, before traveling to Kalamazoo for the doubleheader on Saturday, May 3rd. First pitch for Friday is slated for 4:00 PM at Klenk Park.
