By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, OH---The Express baseball team had a rough day at home with a pair of losses to Lakeland Community College.
Game 1: Lakeland 8 Owens 6 (Nine Innings)
The Express baseball team rallied twice, in the seventh and eighth innings, to tie the game, but Jordan Hill gave up three runs in the ninth inning that proved to be the difference.
In the third, Lakeland's Tony Connacher opened the game's scoring with a two-out RBI single up the middle to put his team up 1-0.
In the fourth, Ryan Horvath tied the game with an RBI fielder's choice before Alex Samson gave the Express a 2-1 lead with an RBI single to right field.
Express starter Michael Fry then gave up three runs in the top of the fifth on a bases loaded walk, a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch.
With the team down 4-2, the Express rallied for two runs in the seventh. After Nick Collins and Dominic Bucci each singled to lead off the inning, Anthony Perez put a bunt down. Lakeland tried to get the out at third, but their third baseman couldn't handle the throw, allowing Collins to score.
Following that, Justin Elder also attempted a sacrifice bunt, but reached when Lakeland's third baseman had a throw to first base that pulled the first baseman. After a strikeout from Nate Manis, Logan Shullick had the game-tying sacrifice fly to center.
Hill, who had entered the game to begin the seventh, then gave up an unearned run in the eighth when Elder had a ball go off his glove in center that allowed a runner to scamper home from first.
The Express answered back in the bottom half, though, when Bucci lined an opposite field, two-out RBI single to tie the game at 5-all.
Lakeland then got three RBI hits in the top of the ninth to take an 8-5 lead. In the bottom half, Elder singled through the left side, advanced to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on an RBI groundout from Nate Manis. It wasn't enough, though, as that was the game's final run.
Despite losing by two runs, the Express out-hit the Lakers 12-10. Horvath was the top offensive performer for the Express as he finished 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Bucci was 2-for-2 with a run and an RBI in his only two at bats.
Wil Shortreed led the Lakers offensively with a 3-for-4, one run, one RBI performance.
Game 2: Lakeland 15 Owens 4 (Five Innings)
A 30 minute top half of the third inning proved to be the difference in today's second game.
After the Express had just taken the lead with a three run second inning, Lakeland sent 20 batters to the plate and produced eight walks, one hit batter, four singles, one triple and one double - which led to 13 runs and a 15-3 lead.
Lakeland had taken a 2-0 lead in the first with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single. The Express took the lead in the second thanks to an RBI single from Collins, a fielder's choice RBI groundout by Elder and an infield RBI single by Manis.
Despite the outcome, Horvath had another solid game at the plate as he finished 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.
The Lakers, who only used eight hits to get their 15 runs, were led by Tony Connacher, who finished 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, three runs and four RBIs. Interestingly enough, no one else had more than one hit for the Lakers.
Garrett Scott started on the mound and took the loss for the Express. His final tally included 2.1 innings, six hits, 11 runs (10 earned), four walks and one strikeout.
Nick Street relieved him in the middle of that third inning and allowed two hits, four runs (zero earned) and seven walks while striking out two. He threw the final 2.2 innings.
Matt Hamons went the distance for Lakeland to pick up the win. He allowed six hits, four runs and four walks while striking out 11.
Notes
The Express are now 5-14 overall this year and 1-7 in OCCAC play. They are scheduled to take on Ashland University's JV team at home on Monday beginning at 3 p.m.
Lakeland's two wins today gives them a weekend sweep of the Express after their two wins on Friday.
Horvath finished the day 5-for-7 with two runs and two RBIs.
