MCLA drops pair of heartbreakers to SUNY Canton
Mike Sullivan had four hits on the afternoon as MCLA dropped a pair of games to SUNY Canton on Tuesday afternoon
Winter Haven, Fl- The MCLA baseball team dropped a pair of tough games falling to SUNY Canton 1-0 in eight innings of the opener while the Kangaroos rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh to snag a 10-7 win and earn the sweep. With the win, Canton improves to 2-2 while MCLA drops to 2-4 on the season.
Game one was a pitchers duel between MCLA's Cody Weaver and Canton's Zach Lawrence. Each pitcher allowed just five hits on the afternoon, however it was Canton that was able to push a run across.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Canton put a pair of runners on base with one out and when Canton's Matt Hall wrapped a single into right field, the Roo's had the game one victory. MCLA had a chance in the top of the frame when Mike Mancivalano had a hustle double but Derek Lescarbeau flew out to end the threat.
Weaver was outstanding for MCLA scattering the five hits and striking out a pair in absorbing the loss.
Game two saw MCLA jump out a quick 6-1 advantage after just two innings. Mike Sullivan and Chase Preite each drove in runs to help establish the lead. The Roo's would change the game though in the bottom of the third when they turned a triple play to establish a momentum shift.
With two Trailblazers on base and nobody out, Ryan Ouimet squared to bunt. Canton's Khalil Bratton would make a shoe string grab and then throw to first, and then on to second as both MCLA runners took off. The triple play changed the course of the game as Canton would push across two runs in the fourth and fifth innings off MCLA starter Tyler Benoit while tying in with a single run in the sixth off Trailblazer reliever Nate Alibozek.
MCLA would regain a one run advantage on Mike Sullivan's RBI single in the bottom half of the inning giving the Trailblazers a 7-6 lead heading to the seventh.
Alibozek recorded the first two outs of the frame before running into trouble. A two out single and walk put runners on the corners for Canton's Braden Giffen. He launched the second pitch he saw over the left field fence to give Canton a 9-7 lead. The Roo's would tack on another to put away the Trailblazers.