April 14, 2010

Box Score

ADRIAN, Mich. - The Adrian College baseball team picked up its second win over cross-town rival Siena Heights by a single run this season as they claimed a 5-4 road win on Wednesday against the Saints. It appeared to be in the bag heading into the bottom of the eighth inning as Adrian led 5-0. The Saints scored twice in the inning and also scored two more times in the ninth to make things very interesting.

Adrian jumped out 1-0 in the first as Alex Cowart had a one-out RBI single up the middle scoring Andrew Anderson who led off with a double to left center. The Bulldogs led 2-0 in the third as Anderson had another double to left with one out. Brian Bilius followed with a RBI double down the right field line to score Anderson. Cowart drew a walk on four pitches and Nate Sarkissian followed with a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Jake Cappelletty hit into a double play to end the threat.

The Bulldogs scored three times in the fourth off Siena Heights' hurler Tony Flagg (0-5) who took the loss. Flagg was the fourth pitcher of the day for the Saints. Jason Greer hit his second homer of the season to right field with one out to give AC a 3-0 lead. Cody Meyer drew a two-out walk and Anderson collected his third hit with a single through the right side which moved Meyer to third. Bilius followed with a RBI single through the left side of the infield on a hit-and-run play which scored Meyer to make it 4-0 and moved Anderson to third. Flagg threw a wild pitch which allowed Anderson to score for third time and give Adrian a 5-0 lead.

Adrian used six different pitchers through seven innings and held the Saints off the board giving up four hits. Sean Hartman and Dan Welch struggled to finish off Siena Heights as the Saints came roaring back in their final two at-bats. Hartman entered the game to start the eighth and hit the first hitter he faced. Cory Lehman had a one-out single to left to put runners on first and second. Hartman got David Wynkoop to strike out and with two outs both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch. Mark Pauwels delivered a big blow as he tripled to center as Sarkissian made a diving effort and just came up short to cut the lead to 5-2.

AC went quickly in order in the top of the ninth as SHU kept their momentum heading into the bottom of the ninth. Welch came in to get the save but it was a stressful one for the senior. His third save of 2010 started with a first-pitch single off the bat of Justin Root. Welch got the next two batters out and then issued back-to-back walks to Jonathan Carey and Jose Paez to load the bases. Lehman's fourth hit of the ballgame on a 1-1 pitch scored two as Paez went to third and Lehman advanced to second on the play at third. Ryan Popma came in to pinch hit for Wynkoop and popped out in foul territory to catcher Joe Dubina for the final out.

Nick Sarkissian started for Adrian and got the win improving to 1-1. It was his first win since the 2008 nationals against Linfield. Josh Burd, Craig Steadman, Mike Neal, Zach Robbins and Jason Fryman all threw scoreless innings for the Bulldogs.

Adrian had seven hits on the day and left nine on base. Anderson went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and now has 29 hits this season. Bilius was 2-for-5 with two RBI's. He now has 15 RBI's this season. Cowart tied the school record with his single in the first for career total bases. He now has 323 which ties Dan Slagle (1997-00). Cowart is also three hits shy of tying the school record for career hits. He stands at 199 and can tie Todd Meyers (2006-09) with a good doubleheader tomorrow against Alma. The Bulldogs and Scots will play at Nicolay Field with start time set for 2:00 PM.