Entering Friday's matchup with Kalamazoo Valley, the Marian University Ancilla baseball team was looking to put an end to their 5-game losing streak. Through six innings, things were looking up, as the game was tied 4-4 with Marian Ancilla the last team to score. However, the Cougars found 6 runs in the top of the 7th, 1 in the top of the 8th, and 2 in the top of the 9th, while their bullpen allowed just 3 base-runners over the final 3 innings, to secure the 13-4 win.
Kalamazoo Valley got on the scoreboard first in the top of the 2nd inning, when they reached safely via a hit batsman and a single. They then bunted those two runs over to second and third base, putting both into scoring position. Shortly thereafter, the Cougars got a sacrifice fly, driving in their first run, and it was 1-0.
The Chargers responded immediately in the bottom of the 2nd, as Freshman Blaze Schultz led off with a double to center field. Two outs later, Sophomore Lincoln Parrish grounded to shortstop, and thanks to an error, he was able to reach second base, while Schultz came around to score, tying the game at 1-1.
Other than a couple of singles and walks by each team, there wasn't much action until the top of the 5th, when Kalamazoo Valley grouped together three singles and a double to score three more runs, taking a 4-1 lead.
The Chargers found life at the plate again in the bottom of the 6th inning. With one out, Parrish walked, and Sophomore James Riddle pinch ran for him. Sophomore Kennon Kemp then singled to put two aboard, followed by an RBI single from Sophomore Conner Boone, scoring Riddle, and the lead was cut to 4-2. After an error by the Cougar pitcher, Kemp came around to score, making it 4-3, while Boone advanced to third base on the same play. One out later and Sophomore Austin Hear lined a single to left field, scoring Boone and tying the game at 4-4.
Then, the top of the 7th came. Before an out was recorded, Kalamazoo Valley strung together a walk, a single, two hit batsmen, and a double, plus they took advantage of a Charger error, and the Cougars retook the lead, extending it to 8-4. The Cougars then finished off the inning with two more runs, making it 10-4.
In the top of the 8th, the Cougars loaded the bases. Then, with two outs and the Chargers nearly escaping, Kalamazoo Valley scored on a wild pitch and it was 11-4.
In the top of the 9th, the Cougars again loaded the bases, but this time, again with two outs, they hit a single to score two runs, and the lead was stretched to 13-4. The Chargers did find themselves with runners on first and third base in the bottom of the 9th, but nothing was to come from it.
Sophomore Nathan Marshman (4-3) was credited with the loss after pitching 6 solid innings, striking out 2.
The Chargers are back in action later this week with a home-and-home series against the Glen Oaks Vikings. Thursday, your Chargers visit Centreville, Michigan, for a double-header with games at 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET. Saturday, both teams play a second double-header at the MUAC field, with games set for 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET. Please come out and support the Chargers!!
