Baseball Plays MCLA Close, Earns Sunday Split

Ryan Cantlin earned the win in game two with six innings of work (photo credit: Stephen Bates, WCS Photography).
Ryan Cantlin earned the win in game two with six innings of work (photo credit: Stephen Bates, WCS Photography).

AUBURNDALE, Fla. – The Scarlet Hawks played a doubleheader on Sunday on its Spring Trip at the RussMatt Invitational, taking on Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex. After dropping game one 5-4 in eight innings to MCLA, Tech held on to win game two 7-5.

Game 1 – How it Happened

  • The Scarlet Hawks jumped out to an early lead. After two outs to start the game, a walk from catcher Zachary Dickey allowed first baseman Ted Howell the chance to hit a triple to right center and give Tech a 1-0 lead.
  • MCLA was able to get to Scarlet Hawk started John Zalewski, reaching base with two walks, hits, and hit by pitches each in the first two frames. The above resulted in three Trail Blazer runs over the same span.
  • Tech, however, was active offensively as well. Despite MCLA starter Shawn James striking out seven hitters over the first three innings, the Scarlet Hawks scored a run off him in each frame. A single by center fielder Michael Courtney drove in designated hitter Enrique Acevedo in the second, while an RBI single from right fielder Peter Upham plated a run in the third.
  • The pitching staffs would settle in for both teams for a long while. Tech called upon Berto Carselle, who in his first five innings of collegiate work, faced the minimum. This was despite allowing three hits, as a pickoff, caught stealing, and double play lineout kept him at the 15 batters faced. For MCLA, Frank Rickus threw three scoreless after James exited the game.
  • With the scheduled seven-inning game now into extra innings, the Scarlet Hawks struck once again thanks to Upham. After freshman David Navarro drew a walk in a pinch-hit appearance and advanced to second on a wild pitch, Upham doubled him in to give the hawks a 5-4 lead.
  • Tech would leave runners on first and third after the Upham double, leaving the door open for MCLA. The Blazers took advantage, as seniors Bill Pulanski and Brett LaBonte drove in runs via singles for the win.

Game 2 – How it Happened

  • The Blazers manufactured a run in the first inning off Tech starter Ryan Cantlin. After two singles to start the contest, MCLA used a sac bunt and a groundout to get the run across.
  • Tech responded in the bottom of the inning, as Dickey (playing right field in this contest) scored from second on a wild pitch in the midst of five straight walks from MCLA starter Brendan Kelly. The last walk was to Acevedo (Tech's catcher for game two), which prompted the Trail Blazers to change pitchers.
  • The Scarlet Hawks made the first two errors of the season in the second inning, both coming on MCLA bunts. The two errors proved to be a difference in the frame, with the Blazers scoring twice to re-take the lead.
  • MCLA's lead didn't last long thanks to Howell. After his triple to drive in a run in game one, he smacked a one-out triple with the bases loaded after third baseman Tyler Tucker (single), Courtney (reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt), and shortstop Orlando Cardenas-Juan (single) reached base. The smash gave Tech a 5-3 lead.
  • Insurance was added by the Scarlet Hawks an inning later, as Acevedo scored on a double to right field from Courtney. In the fifth, Upham scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 7-3.
  • While Tech's offense was working, Cantlin continually pitched out of trouble. Despite allowing 12 hits in six innings of work, the sophomore kept Tech in line for the win thanks to great control (one walk, 74 of 104 pitches for strikes). MCLA was able to score twice in the sixth, making the score 7-5.
  • Tech called upon Courtney to close the game out in the seventh inning. After a leadoff double and a walk to start the inning, the freshman retired the next three hitters to earn the save in his first collegiate appearance.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

  • Cantlin earned the win in the second game, working six innings while allowing just three earned runs.
  • Although he took the loss in game one, Carselle was magnificent in relief, going 5.2 innings in his first collegiate appearance and not allowing a run until his sixth frame.
  • Howell was a force at the plate in the two games, going 3-for-7 with a double, triple, four RBI, two runs, and a steal.
  • Courtney played strong in a variety of ways, going 3-for-6 at the plate with a double, two RBI, a sacrifice bunt, and a run. He earned the save on the mound with a scoreless seventh inning in game two.
  • Upham was 3-for-6 with a double, run scored, and two RBI

Stats to Know

  • After having just two errorless games all of last season, Tech did not make an error in its first two contests this season.
  • Tech pitching walked just two hitters in game two.

Up Next

  • Tech opposes Olivet College tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. eastern (12:30 p.m. central) at Lake Myrtle Field #3 in Auburndale, Fla. Live audio and stats will be available for the first game. A junior varsity contest will follow the 1:30 p.m. varsity game.