JACKSON, Miss. – Opening up their trip down south for their spring break trip, the Alma College baseball team played a neutral site game against the Mississippi University for Women at Millsaps Colleges Twenty Field on Monday, March 2nd. The Scots rallied late in the ninth to send the game to extras before the Owls handed the Scots their first loss of the season, 8-5 in ten innings.
The Owls struck first in the top of the first plating a run across home to take the first lead of the game. The Owls lead didn't last long as Alma responded with their own offense in the bottom of the opening inning as Brant Goodpaster led the Scots off with a double. Alexander Kavalick added another RBI to his solid early season total with a single scoring Goodpaster to tie the game. Following a fielder's choice, Cole Grunwald tripled down the right field line with Cameron Bleasdale on first and allowing him to round the bases to give Alma a 2-1 lead after the first inning.
MUW tied the game in the third inning with an extra base hit, sparking the offense to regain the lead in the fourth inning. The Owls added two runs in the fourth unearned on an error in the outfield by Alma, doubling up on the Scots score. Alma was able to cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the inning as Cade Sutherland grounded out to short with Kyler Warren on third as he reached base on a single to lead off the inning.
The Owls stretched their lead to two again in the seventh as a bases loaded single scored one run as the Scots would get out of the jam only allowing the solo run.
Needing two runs to keep the Scots unbeaten streak alive and to send the game to extras in the ninth, the Scots found themselves with two base runners on with two outs. Freshman Justin Diaz hit a deep fly ball that almost everyone thought was over the wall, that ended up hitting the top of the wall and scored both runners with a double to right field, tying the game at five aside. The Scots would not plate Diaz on second and the game would head to extra innings.
In the top of the tenth, MUW would score the base runner on second after a failed pick off attempt which was then followed by a two-run home run to take an 8-5 lead in the tenth. Alma would not score any runs in the bottom of the inning, recording their first loss of the season.
Josh Soneral got the start for the Scots on the mound going for five innings with five strikeouts. Evan Litwiller and Ryan Koob each saw two innings of action with Koob collecting two whiffs as well. Kenny Fistler took the mound in the tenth and struck out one. Diaz collected two RBI in the game while Bleasdale went three for five from the plate.
Alma will play again tomorrow, Tuesday, March 3rd against host Millsaps College. First pitch is set for 6:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM ET.
