Cougars Win in Extras to Secure Fourth Straight Victory

(Howell, MI)-- There was plenty of drama and back and forth action between the Alma College Scots and the Cleary Cougars baseball teams in today's game at Lake Trust Stadium that ultimately was decided in extra innings.

After two scoreless innings for both teams, Cleary struck first in the bottom of the third inning.  Derek Zavala was walked to lead things off.  The next batter was Kendall Flaugher who singled to left center to advance Zavala to 3rd base.  Jeremy VanOosterum singled to center to score Zavala and give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.  The next batter was Spencer Jamieson who singled to center, and scored Flaugher to give Cleary a 2-0 advantage.  After Colton Fountain drew a walk to load the bases, Kyle Miazbowicz drew a walk to score VanOosterum and give Cleary a 3-0 lead.  Alma would escape the inning without allowing any more runs, and took advantage, as the Scots would score nine runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 9-3 lead.  

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Cleary climbed their way back into the game, as they would score five runs to cut the lead to 9-8.  After Ryan Kadoguchi reached on an error, Spencer Jamieson walked, and Kyle Miazgowicz was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Nic Olson reached on a bases on balls to score the first run of the inning and keep the bases loaded.  The next batter was Jesnel Soto who flew out to right, but scored Jamieson on a sacrifice fly.  Derek Zavala came to the plate, and hit a bomb of a home run to left field to clear the bases.  With the score still 9-8 in the sixth inning, Aaron Dyke led off the inning with a single to left field.  Ryan Kadoguchi would bring Dyke home with a triple to right center to tie the game.  Kadoguchi would score on the next at bat after Spencer Jamieson grounded out, but that RBI gave Cleary the lead at 10-9.

Alma would tie the game in the top of the seventh inning, and take the lead again in the top of the eighth at 11-10.  In the bottom of the eighth, Aaron Dyke drew a walk, and once again scored after Ryan Kadoguchi hit a triple, this time to left center to tie the game.  Kadoguchi scored in the next at bat on a wild pitch to give the Cougars the lead at 12-11.  Down to their final three outs, Alma would tie the game, and free baseball would be required.  After Aaron Dyke (Zach Agemak would pinch run) and Ryan Kadoguchi got things going in the tenth inning with back to back singles, and Spencer Jamieson was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out to bring up Colton Fountain.  Fountain would hit a deep fly ball to right center that hit the ground, and scored Agemak and give the Cougars their fourth straight win.

 Here is Colton Fountain's RBI walk-off single:

Ryan Kadoguchi went 3/4 with 3 R and 2 RBI, while Aaron Dyke and Derek Zavala both chipped in 2 hits, and combined for 5 RBI.  Colin Brazil picked up his second victory in relief, as he threw 2.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits and striking out 2.

Cleary improves to 12-8 overall, and will open up conference play this Saturday at Lake Trust Stadium, when the Concordia Cardinals come to town for a double-header.  First pitch in game one will take place at 1:00 PM.