JACKSON, Miss. – Wrapping up their series and final game in Mississippi before heading east to Alabama for two games, the Alma College baseball team took the field one final time against the Majors of Millsaps College on Thursday, March 5th. The Scots rebounded after a loss the night prior for a series sweep of the Majors, taking the evening game by a final score of 7-3.
Alma struck first in the second inning as Cade Sutherland reached base after wearing a pitch and proceeded to steal second during the next at bat. Charlie Martyn later singled through the right side, scoring Sutherland and putting the Scots on top first.
Millsaps tied the game in the third with a double steal at second and home, plating a run to tie the game.
The Scots exploded with offense in the fifth inning, scoring six runs on five hits. Kyler Warren reached first on a single while Martyn reached first on a fielder's choice right after. Warren was safe on an error during the fielder's choice, leaving runners on first and second. Justin Diaz sacrificed himself to advance both runners with a bunt in the following at bat as well. Alma retook the lead on a Brant Goodpaster single to left field, scoring Warren and moving runners to the corners. Braylon Ryan also singled to left, scoring Martyn and leaving runners on first and second. After a line out that moved Goodpaster to third, Jack McIntosh doubled to right field, scoring Goodpaster with himself and Ryan on second and third. Plating three runs with one swing of the bat, Sutherland got ahold of a ball and was able to take it to deep left center, over the wall for a three-run home run to open the lead up to 7-1 at the conclusion of the top of the fifth inning.
Millsaps look as if they were going to tighten the score up in the fifth adding another run, but the Scots would limit the damage to the solo run. Again, in the ninth, Millsaps threatened the chance for a comeback, but only one run would score, and Alma would take the series finale by a score of 7-3.
Cole Grunwald had a strong showing on the mound after getting the nod from Coach Crain, pitching for six innings and striking out five while allowing one earned run. Evan Litwiller picked up the remaining three innings adding another strikeout as well.
Alma will now head to Montgomery, Alabama for a doubleheader Friday that was adjusted due to incoming weather. Alma will open the day with a 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM ET game against Edgewood College, followed by another game versus Huntingdon College at 4:00 PM / 5:00 PM ET at Huntingdon College's Neal Posey Field.
