Cards fall to Harper; Quincy, UC sweep
gbaker@thedailyreporter.com
COLDWATER — The Coldwater Cardinals were unable to get two games on on Tuesday against Harper Creek, as the nightcap was suspended due to darkness after nine innings with a 2-2 tie.
In the opener, Harper prevailed, 5-2. Coldwater got off to a tough start in the first inning, as Harper Creek got a bloop single over third to leadoff the game. Starter Skylar Reincke strukout the next batter, but a single was followed by a sacrifice fly that scored a run. A two-RBI single brought in two more runs before Reincke got the final out with another K.
Coldwater loaded the bases with a two-out walk to Jeremy Harrell, followed by a Ryan Mock single and a walk to Brendan Spangler to load the bases. Brandon Lewis battled in the batter's box, but grounded out to end the threat.
Harper got a single and a double to make it a 4-0 game in the second and the Cardinals went down on strikes in succession after Kelvin Miller was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the second. Reincke got three flyouts in the third, before the Cardinals were able to finally get going in the bottom half.
Reincke led off with a walk and Jeremy Harrell homered to straight-away centerfield to make it a 4-2 game. After a single from Ryan Mock, Coldwater was unable to get anything more, as Brendan Spangler struck out, Brandon Lewis flew out to deep center, and Kelvin Miller fanned.
Harper got another run in the fifth and the Cardinals were silent from the scoreboard from the third inning and on. Skylar Reincke took the loss, allowing four runs in five innings of work with three strikeouts. The Cardinal bats didn't help much, striking out 13 times in the game.
At the plate, Jeremy Harrell homered and had two RBI; Ryan Mock singled twice and Skylar Reincke and Grant Maurer added a single each.
In the nightcap, both teams battled to a 2-2 tie, until darkness ended the game. Kam Sielken pitched a gem, allowing only one run in eight innings of work. Sielken struck out three. Coldwater took a 1-0 lead in the fifth, only to see Harper tie it in the sixth. Both teams scored in the ninth.
At the plate, Jeremy Harrell, Ryan Mock and Brendan Spangler added a double each. Ryan Mock, Brandon Lewis and Kam Sielken added two singles each and Grant Maurer singled.
Coldwater hosts Loy Norrix on Thursday.
Reading at Quincy
The Orioles improved to 11-8 overall and 8-4 in the Big Eight with two lopsided victories against league rival Reading on Tuesday.
In the opener, Quincy won 16-1 in four innings. Tyler Powell took the win, allowing a hit and an unearned run in four innings. Powell struck out six.
At the plate, Jake Rider was a homer short of the cycle and added three RBI, Bryce McCavit had three hits and three RBI; Tristan Haylett added two hits and three RBI and Jimmy Strock had two hits.
In the nightcap, Quincy won, 19-0 in four innings. Bryce McCavit took the win, allowing two hits with two strikeouts.
At the plate, Michael Tesch had two hits and three RBI, Connor Bassage and Jake Jodway had two hits and two RBI each; Jimmy Strock had a single, a double and an RBI; and Stephen Avra had two hits.
"We just need to get better and prepare for districts," said Quincy coach Brett Allman.
The Orioles are at Hillsdale on Thursday.
Jonesville at Union City
The Chargers came away with two Big Eight wins on Tuesday over Jonesville, by scores of 5-4 and 5-1.
In the opener, Brady Johnson got the complete-game win, allowing four runs on five hits with nine strikeouts. Johnson allowed two earned runs and hit two batters.
Jonesville came back and tied the game at 4-4 in the sixth and the Chargers scored the winning run in the seventh inning when Darren Austin walked, scoring Brady Johnson, as the bases were loaded.
At the plate, Cody Cable singled and scored twice, Brady Johnson doubled, singled twice, scored a run and added an RBI; Chris Rieger singled and added an RBI; Devon DiGiacomo singled and added an RBI; and Emmett Fraley added a single, a double and a run scored.
"It does say a lot that we were able to comeback," said Union City coach John Bain.
In the nightcap, Emmett Fraley took the win, allowing five hits and an earned run with six strikeouts in seven innings.
At the plate, Cody Cable had a hit, Brady Johnson added a single and a stolen base; Chris Rieger singled and scored a run; Devon DiGiacomo had a triple, a walk and two runs; Emmett Fraley added a single and a run; Darren Austin singled and added two RBI; and Hunter Johns had a single and two RBI.
Union City improves 19-4 overall and 10-2 in the Big Eight. The Chargers are at Centreville on Thursday and at the Climax Tournament on Saturday.
Justin Skirka was memorialized on Tuesday, as his number 9 was hung under the scoreboard, honoring him. Skirka played for Union City from 1996 to 1999. Skirka passed away after a battle with cancer last year.
Bronson at White Pigeon
The Vikings improved to 9-11-1 overall and 4-5-1 in the SJV with a split at White Pigeon on Tuesday.
In the opener, Bronson won, 15-4. Mason Friedel got the win, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks with 12 strikeouts.
At the plate, Logan Graybill had three hits, Kegan Ayres and Kahle Scheenks added two hits each; and Ryan Hagen, Mark Robinson and Kyle Smith added a hit each. Ayres had four RBI, Robinson had three and Hagen added two. Scheenks, Graybill and Smith all added an RBI each.
In the nightcap, White Pigeon prevailed, 5-1. Ryan Hagen took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits with six strikeouts. Chase Carpenter led with two hits, and Mark Robinson, Ryan Hagen and Blake Fox added a hit each.
Bronson is at the Stout and Sons Invite on Saturday.