ALMA, Mich. – Collecting their first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association sweep of the season, the Alma College baseball team picked up two more wins over Trine University at Klenk Park in two seven inning run-rule games by the scores of 14-3 and 20-3. The Scots second win of the day was the largest margin of victory over the Thunder in program history, passing the previous margin of 15 runs.
In game one, the Scots let up a run to the Thunder in the first inning after a passed ball and a sacrifice bunt sent home a run to put Alma trailing early. The Scots tied the game in the bottom of the first with an RBI single from Alexander Kavalcik, scoring Grady Pieratt who reached on an error to start the game.
After a scoreless second, the Scots added another three runs in the third with a Braylon Ryan triple, scoring Cameron Bleasdale who reached on a single. Kyler Warren then scored Ryan on a sacrifice fly to right field, putting Alma up two. The Scots final runs of the inning came from a Charlie Martyn RBI single through the right side, scoring Diaz from second, who reached on a single earlier.
Alma added five more runs in the fourth starting with the bases loaded from a walk, a single and a hit by pitch. Ryan cleared the bases with his second triple of the game scoring three runs and giving Alma a six-run lead. Warren picked up his second sacrifice fly of the game scoring Ryan from third, putting Alma up 8-1. Two batters later, Martyn scored Justine Diaz, who doubled, with a single up the middle, scoring Alma's ninth run.
Trine was able to plate another run in the top of the fifth, still trailing by seven at the conclusion of the fifth inning. The Scots final push of runs came in the bottom of the sixth, sending five runs across the plate, starting with Bleasdale scoring on a Warren ground out. Two more runs came in on a Brant Goodpaster double single with the bases loaded. Giuseppe Sapienza followed behind two batters later with a single to score two more runs with the bases loaded, giving Alma a 12-run lead heading into the Thunders final three outs to keep the game alive. Trine scored one run in the top of the seventh, but it would not be enough to extend the game as Alma scored a doubleheader opening win, 14-3.
Cole Grunwald started on the mound for the Scots, striking out four in 4.1 innings of work. William Fockler picked up two-thirds of an inning with two strikeouts and Kaden Warren closed out the final two innings with two whiffs.
Flipping to the late game of the doubleheader, Alma opened the scoring in the bottom of the first with four runs. With the bases loaded, Bleasdale wore a pitch to the leg, scoring Pieratt who reached on a single to lead the game off. Ryan then singled down the right field line, scoring Sapienza and Kavalick for two more runs. The Scots added their final run on another Warren sacrifice fly out, scoring Bleasdale, setting Alma up with a 4-0 lead after one.
Trine scored their first run of the game in the second, but Three more runs came in for the Scots in the bottom of the second as Goodpaster led the inning off with a double. Pieratt sent Goodpaster home with a single up the middle. Later in the inning, a sacrifice fly out from Bleasdale scored Sapienza from third before Ryan scored Kavalick from second, giving Alma a 7-1 lead after two.
The Thunder again added another solo run in the third off a single, but Alma's pitching and defense would hold them at two runs through three. Alma added another two in the fourth from a Kavalick single, scoring Pieratt from second. Later in the inning Ryan sent a ball into left field for a sacrifice fly, scoring Preston Schroyer, who pinch ran for Sapienza, putting Alma up 9-2.
A six-spot from the Scots came in the fifth as another fly out from Pieratt, four batters into the inning scored Diaz. Two batters later, Kavalick stepped into the box as drew a walk, scoring a run with the bases loaded. Another walk from Bleasdale right after scored another run for Alma. Pitching struggles continued as a wild pitch then scored Brady Vannest, setting up Ryan who stepped up to the plate. Ryan sent a single through the left side, scoring Bleasdale and Kavalck for 15 Scots runs.
Alma plated five more runs in the sixth as a Bleasdale singled started the scoring party, scoring Kyle Hand. Ryan also singled following, scoring Easton Tolson leading to a Corey Sanderson RBI single, sending Bleasdale home for the third consecutive run. Diaz scored the final two runs of the game with a double to left center, scoring Ryan and Sanderson, giving Alma an 18-run lead heading into the final three outs. The Thunder were able to add a run to their total but the Scots explosive day at the plate was too much to match as the Scots cruised to their largest margin of victory against the Thunder, winning 20-3.
Cade Sutherland started for Alma, striking out five in four innings of work. Brady Sager picked up the win in 1.2 innings while Gavin O'Hara made his collegiate debut and Roman Forcia closed out the game for Alma with one strikeout.
Alma will now turn their attention towards a series with the Knights of Calvin University. The series opener is scheduled for Friday, April 17th, with the first pitch at Klenk Park set for 4:00 PM.
