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	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Dutchmen rally, split with Eagles

Miller keys fifth-inning surge as Manchester avenges opening loss

By Ed Patino, Staff Writer

PUBLISHED: April 24, 2008

Some late-inning heroics helped the Manchester varsity baseball team make a nice recovery.

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The bat of Isaac Miller and a surge in the fifth inning lifted the Flying Dutchmen to an 11-9 victory over the Brooklyn Columbia Central Golden Eagles in the nightcap of a doubleheader April 19. Columbia Central jumped to an early lead in the first game and handed the Dutchmen an 18-8 loss.

Manchester (5-2, 2-0 Cascades) started strong in the second game, jumping to a 5-0 lead after plating two runs in the top of the first inning and two more in the second. The lead was quickly wiped out as the Eagles tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the second and three more in the third inning.

After the Dutchmen were held scoreless in the top of the fourth, Columbia Central plated three runs in the bottom of the frame to grab an 8-5 lead.

Manchester grabbed the momentum by scoring five runs in the top of the fifth inning, taking a two-run lead. The Eagles pulled to within 10-9 in the bottom of the inning, but the Dutchmen added an insurance run in the top of the sixth to seal the win.

Miller led the offense for Manchester, going 4-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored. Ben Stachnik was 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Lucas Sweet went 1-for-2 with two RBIs. Josh Caswell went 1-for-2 with a RBI and run scored and Will Rickert finished 1-for-3 and scored two runs. Coyle Render added a hit and scored a run, while Jared Huber had an RBI and run scored for the Dutchmen.

Logan Zigila earned the pitching win in relief, striking out three while allowing three runs on two hits in 1 2/3 innings. Miller closed the game, pitching the final three innings. He recorded three strikeouts, two walks and no hits.

In the opener, Columbia Central scored 14 runs over the first three innings and never looked back. The Dutchmen kept the game alive with four runs in the top of the fifth and two more in the sixth, pulling to within 15-8. But the Eagles answered with three more in the bottom of the sixth to end the game on the mercy rule.

Manchester was held to five hits in the game and committed three errors. Rickert led the Dutchmen by going 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored. Miller delivered a two-run home run, while Welton went 1-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Huber delivered a hit and scored a run for Manchester.

Trevor Hanewald was charged with the pitching loss, allowing 12 runs (10 earned) on seven hits in 1 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked four. Brent Schriber pitched the next 3 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on three hits and striking out one.

The Dutchmen traveled to Napoleon for a Cascades Conference doubleheader Wednesday after the newspaper's deadline. They will host Dexter for a non-conference doubleheader Saturday.

Dutchmen at Michigan Center

Strong pitching and a big comeback helped the Manchester varsity baseball team sweep a doubleheader from defending Cascades Conference champion Michigan Center with 6-1 and 6-5 victories April 15.

In the opener, Will Rickert held the Cardinals to two hits in six innings. The Flying Dutchmen broke open a 2-1 game with two runs in the top of the sixth inning and two more in the seventh.

Justin Welton finished 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored to lead Manchester. Isaac Miller went 1-for-2 with an RBI, while Jared Huber was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Lucas Sweet and Ben Stachnik each finished 1-for-3 for the Dutchmen.

Rickert overcame eight walks and threw four strikeouts in the pitching win.

Michigan Center grabbed a 5-0 lead in the second game after scoring four in the first and another in top of the second. Manchester chipped its way back into the game with a run in the bottom of the second and another in the third. After the teams went scoreless over the next two innings, the Dutchmen rallied in the bottom of the sixth with four runs to take the victory.

Rickert and Huber led the attack for Manchester. Huber went 3-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored, while Rickert was 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Stachnik finished 2-for-3 with a RBI and Sweet was 2-for-3 at the plate for the Dutchmen.

Welton earned the pitching win in relief, allowing two hits and striking out one in the sixth inning. After a shaky start, Sweet delivered six strikeouts and scattered eight hits in the first five innings on the mound.

Staff Writer Ed Patino can be reached at 428-8173 or epatino@heritage.com.