DUBUQUE, Iowa – Hitting the turf for the first time of the season after a late cancellation due to impending weather, the Alma College Baseball team opened their season in Iowa with a Saturday doubleheader against the University of Dubuque on February 14th. The Scots rolled to a 2-0 start after putting up double-digit runs in both games, winning 10-0 and 15-10 in the nightcap.
Alma opened the scoring in the second inning as Kyler Warren reached first on a single and was then corralled home in the next at bat as freshman Braylon Ryan tripled to left center in his first collegiate at bat. The Scots tagged on another four in the fourth inning as Cade Sutherland led the inning off with a double. Warren reached base again on a walk with Ryan stepping up to the dish once again. Ryan scored Sutherland on a single through the left side, putting Alam up 2-0. Freshman Justin Diaz then sent a ball soaring over the outfield fence for a three-run shot, the first of his career in only his second collegiate at bat. Alam concluded the inning leading 5-0.
The Scots added a solo run in the fifth as Alexander Kavalick reached on a walk and stole second shortly after. Kavalick would then score on a Sutherland single to left field for the Scots sixth run of the game. The Scots then tacked on the final four in the ninth inning leading off with a Kavalick single and a Luke Lindsay walk. Sutherland picked up where he left off in the fifth, this time with a shot over the outfield wall, for his first collegiate home run after primarily pitching last season. The three-run ball was Alma's second three-run home run of the game, firing up the bats early in the season. Jack McIntosh was then walked in the next at bat and Braylon Ryan collected his second triple of the game, again going to left center and adding another RBI in the freshman's first game.
Alma's pitching staff combined for a one-hitter in the game as Cole Grunwald, Tyler Sparks, Josh West and Ryan Koob all saw action on the mound. Grunwald was credited the win while recording a career high ten strikeouts. Sparks added another five K's while Koob collected two for a team total of 17 in the first game of the season.
Following a short break, looking to wrap up the doubleheader and finish before the sunset, both teams returned to the diamond for action. Alma opened the game with a leadoff home run by Sutherland for his second of the day in as many games, putting Alma out in front very early. Alma added another run after Kavalick doubled and Grunwald singled, setting up freshman Brady Vannest for an RBI single to left field, scoring Kavalick for the games second run.
Alma doubled their lead in the second inning on a Kavalick double that scored Diaz and Cameron Bleasdale who both reached on walks earlier. Two innings later, again the Scots doubled their lead as Charlie Chmielewski was walked with the bases loaded, scoring Giuseppe Sapienza who reached after being hit by a pitch. Bleasdale then collected the Scots third triple of the day, placing one into right center, scoring Kavalick, Martyn and Chmielewski who all reached on walks.
In the fifth, Kavalick knocked in a run on an RBI double up the middle, scoring Sutherland who reached on a walk. Later in the inning Chmielewski was struck by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Sapienza who was also walked, putting Alma up 10-0. The Scots lathered on three more in the sixth as Kavalick doubled to right center, scoring Braden Andrejack who also reached on a double. Two batters later, Vannest scored both Sapienza and Kavalick on a single to center field, putting Alma on top 13-0.
The Spartans bats came to life in the bottom of the sixth after being no-hit for the previous five innings. Dubuque found a spark of success and tallied seven quick runs to cut the Scots lead in half. Alma responded in the eighth with two more insurance runs as Kavalick tripled to right field and then scored on a balk early in the inning. Bleasdale would get the final RBI of the game on a hit by pitch with the bases loaded and Grunwald and Martyn drew walks and Grady Pieratt reached first on a single, with Grunwald scoring. Dubuque's final inning saw two runs scored but it wasn't enough for the Scots to drop the nightcap as they swept the season opener and move to 2-0. Freshman Josh Soneral was given the nod for his first career start and picked up the win, lasting four innings and striking out five. Tommy Ches, Kaden Warren and Kenny Fistler each collected strikeouts as well for a team total of nine. Kavalick went 5-5 in game two with four runs and four RBIs as well.
Alma will now return to Michigan before hitting the road to Anderson, Indiana for a weekend series with the Ravens next Saturday and Sunday. First pitch for both days is slated for 12:00 PM.
