Trailblazers Split Rain Shortened Double Header

Auburndale, Fl- The MCLA baseball team split a double-header with Lesley today amongst the raindrops in Florida.  MCLA lost the first game 3-2 before coming back in game two to win a five inning affair 7-4.  D.J. Clark picked up the victory in game two.

In the opener, MCLA quickly jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first as Mike Sullivan walked to start the game.  He advanced to third on Chase Preite's single setting up first and third.  After Preite stole second, Sullivan scampered home on the throw.  Lesley would tie the game just as quickly in their half of the inning before taking the lead for keeps in the third.

After MCLA left the bases loaded in the top half, Lesley used a hit batter and two consecutive singles to open the inning.  Lesley's Peter Plansky added a sacrifice fly to five the Lynk a 3-1 edge after three innings off of MCLA starter Cody Weaver.

The Trailblazer bullpen would hold Lesley at bay for the rest of the afternoon as MCLA tried to rally back.  MCLA pushed a run across in the fifth when Joe Duncan scored on a wild pitch closing the gap to 3-2.  After a scoreless sixth, Sullivan had a one out double in the seventh and eventually moved to third on a groundout, but was left stranded ending the game.

Weaver took the loss for MCLA tossing four innings and allowing 6 hits and the 3 Lesley runs.  he struck out three.  Ryan Genua earned the win in going the distance for Lesley.  He allowed seven hits and struck out three in the complete game effort.

Game two was a rain shortened affair as MCLA came back from a 3-0 deficit to post the 7-4 victory. 

Lesley put three runs on the board in the top of the second all with two outs.  They were aided by an error by the Trailblazers allowing the runs to come across.  MCLA quickly responded though, answering with 5 runs in the bottom half of the inning which included a lengthy rain delay.

MCLA scored the runs on only one hit, but mixed in five walks and were the benficiary of five wild pitches and a pair of errors in the frame.  MCLA extended the lead to 6-3 on a Sullivan RBI double in the third.

Lesley would trim the lead to two pushing a run across in the fourth before DJ Clark came out of the bullpen to shut down the Lynx.  After allowing a single to the first batter he faced, Clark registered a popout and a pair of strikeouts to keep Lesley at bay.

MCLA tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth to provide the final margin.

Sullivan had a strong day at the plate for the Trailblazers going 4-6 in the doubleheader with a pair of doubles and four stolen bases.  Freshman Chris Koch also added three hits on the afternoon.

MCLA will next play Tuesday in Winter Haven versus Hamilton. The double-header will begin at 9:30am.