The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Late hit lifts Flying Dutchmen past Chelsea
Despite only collecting two hits, Manchester snaps four-game skid
By Ed Patino, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 1, 2008
The Manchester junior varsity baseball team needed a boost, and Ryan Abrigo was there to provide it.
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The freshman delivered a clutch hit in the bottom of the sixth inning to help the Flying Dutchmen pull away for a 5-2 victory over the Chelsea Bulldogs in a non-conference game Monday.
Manchester (7-6, 1-3 Cascades) was held to two hits in the game. Hanging on to a one-run lead in the sixth inning, Manchester put two runners on base thanks to walks. Abrigo followed up with a single down the line that drove in both runs, giving the Dutchmen a 5-2 lead. Nik Stetler and the Manchester defense ended the game and the Dutchmen's four-game losing streak at the top of the seventh inning.
The Dutchmen were originally scheduled to travel to Lenawee Christian for Monday's game, but the Cougars cancelled. Manchester instead picked up a home game against Chelsea, a Division 2 power.
"This was a good win against a bigger school," Manchester coach Nick Neihaus said. "Having lost our last four games, it made the win even better."
Manchester's first two runs came in the second inning thanks to consecutive sacrifice bunts by Dakota LaDouceur and Jimmy Hamilton.
Stetler made his first start of the season on the mound a memorable one. The freshman went the distance and struck out five while holding Chelsea to three hits.
"Nik pitched very well for us, and we played well defensively," Neihaus said.
Manchester returned to Cascades Conference play Wednesday at Vandercook Lake. The game took place after the newspaper's deadline. The Dutchmen are off until May 7 when they visit Addison for a doubleheader.
Dutchmen vs. Dexter
The Flying Dutchmen were swept in a non-conference doubleheader April 26, falling to the Dexter Dreadnaughts 13-7 and 17-2.
Manchester hung with the Division 2 Dreadnaughts for the first 5 1/2 innings, but lost momentum in the top of the sixth inning. Dexter plated six runs in the frame to break a 7-7 tie, then held off the Dutchmen in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings.
"It was close until the end, and I was happy with how we played in the first game," Manchester coach Nick Neihaus said.
Justin Hone and Nate Jackson both went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Dutchmen. Jimmy Hamilton was 2-for-4 with a triple.
The Dutchmen used three pitchers in the game. Jackson started and threw the first three innings before relieved by Hone. Ryan Abrigo pitched the seventh inning for Manchester. Hone was charged with the loss.
Manchester fell into a deep hole in the second game and never recovered as Dexter plated 10 runs in the bottom of the first inning. The game was stopped after four innings due to the mercy rule.
"We ran short on pitching, but they hit the ball well and we didn't," Neihaus said. "We played well and put a lot into that first game, and it was hard for us to come back from that."
Rob Carver lasted the longest on the mound for Manchester, pitching the final three innings.
Dakota LaDouceur went 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple to lead the Dutchmen, while Brandon Casey added two hits.
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