ALMA, Mich. – The Alma College baseball team returned to the field against the Flying Dutch of Hope College, this time at Klenk Park for day two of the series on Saturday, April 5th. The Scots were able to grab two more victories over Hope by scores of 10-7 and 7-6 for a season sweep of the Flying Dutch.
Hope took the first lead of the day in the second inning with two runs scoring on an Alma error. Alma responded right back with a run in the bottom of the second, after a Ryan Kracht single to center field and a stolen base to second. Cole Grunwald doubled behind Kracht, allowing for him to score from second and cut the Hope lead in half.
The next runs did not come until the sixth inning where the Flying Dutch scored three runs on back-to-back homers, taking a 5-1 lead into the final three and a half innings. Hope then added a solo run in the seventh, increasing their lead to five as the Scots had nine outs in front of them. In the bottom of the seventh, Alma was able to find some life with a lone run off a Grunwald fielder's choice that saw him steal second and steal third before Stephen McGlade base knocked a single and scored Grunwald, bringing the score to 6-2.
Hope kept slowly adding lone runs as the top of the eighth saw the Flying Dutch score in another home run, bringing their lead back to five as the Scots faced six outs to complete a comeback.
The Bottom of the eighth saw a Scots outburst of offense leading off with a Giuseppe Sapienza single. Alexander Kavalick then drew a walk and was pinch ran for by Lucas Dunham. Sapienza advanced to third on a Charlie Chmielewski fly out along with Lucas Dunham stealing second during the next at bat. Kracht then connected with a ball for a double into deep right field, scoring both base runners, bringing Alma within three. Grunwald and McGlade would both be struck by pitches along with Kracht already on second to load the bases as Cameron Bleasdale stepped up to the plate. Bleasdale then poked a ball into right field for a double, clearing the other base runners and tying the game at sevens aside. Following the base-clearing double, Brant Goodpaster was also struck by a pitch with Sapienza stepping up to the plate. Sapienza then barreled a pitch over the maroon walls at Klenk for the Scots first home run at home this season, scoring three runs and bringing the score to 10-7. Three ground outs from the Flying Dutch in the ninth would seal the deal for game one as Alma would take it, 10-7.
Tyler Johnson started the first game on the mound going for six innings with seven strikeouts. Alex Hardacre and Ken Fistler came in for relief with Hardacre pitching for two innings with two K's and Fistler seeing action for one inning.
Following a short break between the games, both teams readied back up and game two was underway. This time the Scots took the first lead of the game as Sapienza and Kavalick were walked. Bleasdale followed behind with a single to right center before McGlade was walked, scoring Sapienza for the game's opening run.
Alma added another two runs in the bottom of the second as Tony Smith was also walked, followed by Sapienza wearing a pitch to the elbow. Smith ended up stealing third prior to a Kavalick single, which would score Smith and give Alma their second run. Following a pitcher change, Kracht singled to left field, scoring Sapienza, putting Alma up 3-1.
Hope found offense in the third scoring two runs off doubles and base hits. Alma kept laying on the runs, adding an additional run in the third after a single and an error put McGlade and Taha Ebrahim on base. Following a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, Mitch Foley ended up grounding out towards first, allowing for McGlade to score.
After several scoreless innings Hope brought the game back within one in the fifth with a several singles, giving them their third run of the game. The sixth saw the Flying Dutch tie the game for the first time, following a sacrifice fly out, bringing the score to 4-4. Hope took their first and only lead of the game in the seventh following a single and an error that led to chaos in the infield and the Flying Dutch to score off speed.
Alma did not let the Flying Dutch lead for long as the bottom of the seventh inning kicked off with a Brant Goodpaster single to right center. McGlade then did the heavy lifting and collected the Scots second home run at Klenk Park this season with a deep fly ball over the left field wall for a two-run home run to regain the lead 6-5. Alma would add an additional run in the seventh after a Kavalick walk and a Kracht double to right field where Ryan Suchota, the pinch runner, scored the Scots final run of the game.
The Scots had a party on the mound for the day as Josh West got the start and pitched two innings with one strikeout. Cole Grunwald came in for two out before being picked up by Cade Sutherland, who went for one and two-thirds with three strikeouts. Tyler Sparks also saw one and two-thirds of action with one K. Ryan Koob collected two innings of work followed by Chase Balhoff who collected an out and Ken Fistler who recorded the final two outs and picked up his third save of the season.
Alma will now have two days of rest before hosting Calvin University on Tuesday, April 8th for their lone home game against the Knights. First pitch for the weekday action is set for 4:00 PM.
