April 22

BULLDOGS TAKE SERIES FROM ALMA, STILL TIED FOR FIRST
Adrian wins 5-4 and 6-3 vs. Scots, now 15-5 in MIAA

By Ed Patino
Sports Information Assistant

ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College Bulldogs saved their best for the end and regained control in a tight championship race.

A dramatic comeback in the opener and fourth-inning surge in the second game lifted the Bulldogs to 5-4 and 6-3 victories over the Alma College Scots before an energetic crowd on a warm spring day at Riverside Park.

Adrian (19-12, 15-5 MIAA) clinched the weekend series with the Scots, winning three of the four games, and regained possession of the top spot in the MIAA. Hope (20-9, 15-5 MIAA) moved into a first-place tie with the Bulldogs after sweeping four games from Tri-State, but Adrian holds all tiebreakers for the title thanks to winning three of four games against the Flying Dutchmen in late March.

Alma (5-16-1, 4-10-1 MIAA) didn’t make things easy for the Bulldogs. In the first game, the Scots jumped to a 4-0 lead after three innings, only to see Adrian fight back with three runs in the fourth and two more in the bottom of the seventh. The Bulldogs took control of the nightcap with a four-run fourth inning and rode the pitching of Alex Webster the rest of the way.

The Scots plated a run in the top of the first inning and three more in the third during the opener. Mike Slesinski’s two-RBI double scored Bobby Jock and Dan Gonzalez-Morales in the third inning, then Mike McAplin made it 4-0 with a single that brought home Ray Foley. Meanwhile, Alma pitcher John Fillmore kept the Bulldogs hitless through the first three frames.

Adrian sprung to life in the bottom of the fourth. After Ryan Sulek broke the ice with a lead-off double, Bobby Rickstad cranked a two-RBI double, scoring Sulek and Todd Meyers. Moments later, Nick Sarkissian’s RBI single scored Rickstad, making it 4-3.

The Bulldogs appeared to miss a big chance in the bottom of the sixth when Meyers was stranded on third base, but after Rickstad sat Alma down in order, they would get a reprieve. Kris Powell capitalized on an Alma wild pitch and throwing error to third, coming around to score and tie the game. Two batters later, Alex Cowart delivered a single, and another error in right field allowed Mackenzie Matthews to score, giving the Bulldogs to win.

Rickstad went the distance on the mound for Adrian, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and striking out six. He also led the offense, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Sarkissian also went 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Sulek and Meyers each were 1-for-3 with a run for the Bulldogs.

Slesinski finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs to lead the Scots, while McAlpin was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Fillmore went 6 1/3 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits and took the pitching loss.

Adrian got off to a better start in the nightcap as Rickstad scored Sulek with a single in the first inning. Alma fought back with a run in the top of the second, then Slesinski’s bunt scored Dan Merian in the third, giving the Scots a 2-1 lead.

The Bulldogs erupted in the fourth inning again. Mark Roeder belted a two-RBI triple, scoring Mike Hackett and Xander Younce, then scored himself on Steve Vanderheyden’s flyout, giving Adrian a 4-2 lead. Later in the frame, Cowart scored on an Alma fielding error.

Jeremy Stephens delivered an RBI single in the top of the fifth, scoring Foley and bringing the Scots to within two, but Adrian got the run back in the bottom of the sixth. Sulek’s RBI double scored Vanderheyden, giving the Bulldogs a 6-3 lead.

Roeder finished 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored to lead Adrian. Sulek went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run, while Rickstad was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Hackett, Younce and Cowart each finished 1-for-3 with a run scored for the Bulldogs.

Webster made his birthday a happy one, earning the pitching win in relief. The sophomore threw 4 2/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits and striking out three. Starter Adam Stone pitched the first 2 1/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out two while not giving up a hit.

Foley went 2-for-2 with a run scored to lead Alma. Stephens was 1-for-2 with an RBI and run scored, while Slesinski finished 1-for-3 with an RBI for the Scots. Matt Gorman was charged with the loss on the hill, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and striking out three in 3 2/3 innings.

The Bulldogs will play a four-game series Apr. 27-28 against the Kalamazoo College Hornets. The teams will open the series with a doubleheader in Kalamazoo on the 27th, then finish up with another doubleheader at Riverside Park the next day. The teams split last year’s series 2-2.