ANGOLA, Ind. – Opening up another conference series for the weekend, the Alma College baseball team looked to continue the season success they have had so far, coming off a record setting game this past Wednesday. The Scots strung their third win in a row together as they were able to outscore the Thunder of Trine University, 14-11 on the road.
Scoring double-digit runs for the 14th time so far this season, the Scots continued to find success early and often against Trine. The first inning saw both teams ease into the game and the pitchers took control of the pace. Alma scored the first runs of the game in the top of the second with an RBI single from the hot bat of Grady Pieratt, scoring Kaden Warren who earlier singled up the middle. Giuseppe Sapienza followed suit with a single as well, scoring Brant Goodpaster, who also singled earlier in the inning, giving the Scots a 2-0 lead.
Trine's offense clicked in the bottom of the inning right away, taking their first lead of the game, as they poured in five runs, to quiet the Scots faithful early. The visiting Scots responded right away with five of their own runs in the top of the third, starting with a two RBI double from Justin Diaz, scoring Ryan and Kyler Warren who both reached on singles. Trailing by a run, Ka. Warren drew a walk while Goodpaster doubled to right center, putting runners on the corners later in the inning, setting up Pieratt at the plate. Pieratt doubled to right enter as well, scoring both runners to give Alma a 6-5 lead before Alexander Kavalick singled to left field, scoring Pieratt to put Alma up by two after the top half if the inning.
Trine again responded and brought themselves within one in the bottom of the inning, setting up for a high-scoring affair moving forward. Alma added some insurance to their lead in the fourth, as Diaz reached first on a walk, and Goodpaster singled down the left field line. Goodpaster then collected another single, scoring Diaz from second and leaving runners on second and third for Pieratt. As you predicted, Pieratt kept the hot bat going with another hit for a single, scoring both Warren and Goodpaster for the Scots tenth run of the game, as they lead by four.
Alma added another run in the fifth as an RBI single from Ky. Warren scored Cameron Bleasdale for the Scots 11th run of the game. The Thunder matched with a solo run in the fifth, holding a deficit of four within reach heading into the sixth. The Scots brought the lead back to five as Bleasdale added an RBI walk to score another Scots run as the bases were loaded from earlier walks and hit by pitches.
Trine again threatened in the seventh with two runs to cut the lead down to three, but Alma again had some cushion moving towards the final two innings. The Thunder were able to bring the game within one in the eighth following a two-run triple that put the pressure back on the Scots heading into the final inning.
The Scots started the inning off with a Kavalick double down the left field line, followed by some small ball with a bunt to put runners on the corners with no outs. Ryan then added another Scots double to left center, scoring both runners on base, giving Alma a three-run lead as the Thunder headed into the final three outs. Alma's arms were able to hold on and collect three outs to end the game for the Scots third straight win.
Tyler Sparks was the Scots starter and the winning pitcher, moving to 5-0 on the season, striking out two in seven innings of work. Tyler Lasley pitched two-thirds of an inning with two strikeouts while Kenny Fistler closed out the final inning and a third with a strikeout to propel the Scots to a win.
Alma will return home to host the Thunder tomorrow, at Klenk Park for a doubleheader. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
