May 1, 2008

Box Score

ADRIAN, Mich. - The Bulldogs nearly had another win over a nationally-ranked team but made little of their opportunities in a 4-3 loss to #20 Heidelberg College on Thursday in non-conference play. The Student Princes are ranked second in the Mideast region based on regional rankings that were released this afternoon. The Bulldogs held firm in fourth in the Mideast and if both teams play as hard as they did today, it could be a rematch opportunity in the NCAA regionals in a couple of weeks.

Adrian seemingly ran themselves out of a couple of innings and were hurt by hitting into four double plays during the nine-inning affair. Heidelberg got on the board first with a run in the top of the third. Gar Keen lifted a sacrifice fly to right with one out for the scoring play in the frame. The 'Berg added two more runs in the top of the sixth to take a 3-0 advantage. Jason Lash had a one-out RBI groundout to second and Matt Grassley singled up the middle for an RBI in the inning.

The Bulldogs squandered some chances early but came through to tie the score at 3-3 with a run in the seventh and two more in the eighth. Brett Miskokomon hit a two-out RBI single through the right side scoring Brian Bilius and Steve Vanderheyden was cut down going to third to end the inning in the seventh. Joe D'Orazio hit a one-out single to center to start the rally in the eighth. Todd Meyers stepped up and smashed his first triple of the year into the left center gap to score D'Orazio from first and cut the lead to 3-2. Nate Sarkissian hit a 3-1 pitch up the middle for an RBI scoring Meyers to tie the score. Adrian left Sarkissian on third when Bobby Rickstad struck out to end the frame.

Heidelberg pushed the winning-run across in the top of the ninth with a little help from the Bulldogs. With runners on first and third with one out, Jeremy Wentworth grounded to shortstop and it looked like a double play ball but the transition throw by Steve Vanderheyden went high allowing Wentworth to reach on a fielder's choice and collected an RBI. Wentworth is the leadoff hitter with good speed which could have made the Bulldogs' rush just a little bit. AC went down in order in the bottom of the ninth.

Josh Rebandt (0-1) made his first appearance on the mound for Adrian and pitched well but did allow the winning baserunner to reach on a single in the ninth. Rebandt was the fifth pitcher of the day for AC and went 1.1 innings with a strikeout. Nick Vandike relieved Rebandt and got two outs but did not completely shut the door. Steve Calevro (4-0) blew the potential save opportunity and instead got the win throwing the final two innings for Heidelberg with two strikeouts and two earned runs allowed in 36 pitches.

Alexander Younce had two hits including a double in three at-bats for Adrian. D'Orazio had two sacrifice bunts and got a hit in his third plate appearances in the ninth spot. Alex Cowart had a 2-for-4 day also at the plate for the Bulldogs. Willie Brechun had the only multi-hit day for the 'Berg in the ninth spot going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Adrian outhit Heidelberg, 11-7, and committed no errors in the field. The Bulldogs are now 25-9 and will play host to Olivet on Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.