Saturday, the Red Hawks of Lake Michigan College rolled into town, and they were engaged right from the beginning, scoring 10 runs in the first 3 innings. The Chargers fought back, even narrowing the deficit to 12-11 through 8 innings, but the Red Hawks plated 6 runs in the top of the 9th inning and the Chargers were only able to muster one base-runner in the bottom of the 9th, losing 18-11.
During their 10-run outbust to begin the game, the Red Hawks only had 2 extra base hits (2 doubles), but otherwise they used a series of singles, walks, stolen bases, sacrifice flies, and a couple of Charger miscues to amass their lead one run at a time.
Sophomore Conner Boone led off the bottom of the 2nd inning with a walk, and Sophomore Kennon Kemp immediately laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Boone to second base. With two outs, Sophomore Tyler Bumbalough singled to center, scoring Boone. Sophomore Hunter Smith would then walk, with Freshman Blaze Schultz singling home Bumbalough in the next at-bat.
With the score 10-2 through 5 innings, the Red Hawks managed to score 2 more runs in the top of the 6th inning without collecting a hit. 2 walks, an error, a fielder's choice, another walk, and a passed ball helped Lake Michigan increase their lead to 12-2.
Marian Ancilla got one back in the bottom of the 6th, as Freshman Cade Riley singled, Sophomore James Riddle walked, then Boone singled, scoring Riley...12-3 through 6 innings.
As they have done often this season, the Chargers were ready for a big inning, and they got one in the bottom of the 7th. Trailing 12-3, and with an early out, Smith walked, Schultz walked, and Sophomore Rudy Ramos reached on an error to load the bases. Riley then hit a line drive double to center, scoring Smith and Schultz, and it was 12-5. Riddle singled, scoring Ramos, and Boone singled, scoring Riley, and the lead was cut to 12-7.
After a pitching change, Boone stole second to prevent any force out, then Kemp walked to load the bases. Sophomore Austin Hear stepped up and rocketed a line drive single to left, as Riddle and Boone both scored. The Chargers now trailed 12-9 through 7 innings.
Marian Ancilla got a strong 8th inning out of Freshman pitcher Traevyn Shoaf, as he recorded 3 straight outs, quickly bringing the Charger bats back to the plate.
Following a leadoff groundout, Ramos and Riley both walked. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, but the Charger batter struck out for the second out. The Red Hawks changed pitchers again, but after throwing 2 balls to Boone, the new pitcher tossed a wild pitch, allowing Ramos to score. Boone then hit a double to right, scoring Riley, and it was 12-11.
However, the 9th inning was none too kind to the Chargers. The Red Hawks again used walks, singles, and a hit batsman to score 6 more runs, extending their lead to 18-11. A 2-out walk in the bottom of the 9th is as close as the Chargers came to scoring any more runs.
Marian Ancilla is back in action today, as they travel to Morton College (IL) for a single 9-inning game. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. ET. They are next at home on Thursday, March 28th, when they host Lansing Community College. That game is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. ET. Please come out and support the Chargers!!
