Cougars Split Against Aquinas, Game 2 Ends in Dramatic Fashion

(Howell, MI) -- The Cleary Cougars baseball team played their last home games of the season as they took on the Aquinas University Saints. They would split the doubleheader with a very exciting and dramatic ending to the second game. 

In Game 1: The Saints bats would be hot early on with 13 hits and 6 unanswered runs within the first 4 innings of the game. Spencer Jamieson would drive in the Cougar's first run of the game in the 4th inning with a double down the left field line to score Brice Wesley. Aquinas would increase their lead to 10-1 before the Cougars responded. Gavin Kempainen would score on a throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt. Ben Cerven would then single to center, scoring Cedric Russell making it a 10-3 ballgame. This would not be enough to keep up with the Saints as the Cougars would go on to lose 10-3. 

Nate Raniszewski (3-5) suffered the loss on the mound after allowing 6 runs on 13 hits in 3.1 innings pitched.  Ben Cerven would go 2-3 at the plate with an RBI and a walk. 

In Game 2: Both teams would face a pitcher's dual early on with no runs crossing the plate for either team till the 4th inning. After Aquinas took a 1-0 lead, Ben Cerven would respond with a solo home run to left field. In the 5th inning, Gavin Kempainen hit a sacrifice fly and Brice Wesley hit an RBI single to increase the Cougar lead to 3-1. The Cougars would add another run in the 6th inning before Aquinas would begin their comeback. In the 8th inning, Aquinas would come back with a solo home run and RBI single making it a 1 run ballgame. With one out in the inning, a fly ball would be hit to Gavin Kempainen. The runner would tag up on the play at third base and be called safe on a controversial call to tie the game 4-4. In the bottom half of the 8th inning, Ben Cerven would add to his single-season triples record with another triple.  Spencer Jamieson would single to score Ben Cerven giving the Cougars a 5-4 lead. Ethan Barclay would hit an RBI single later in the inning increasing the lead to 6-4. In the top of the 9th, a solo home run decreased the lead to 6-5 but that was all in store for Aquinas as Jack Westerhoff would shut them down, giving the Cougars the 6-5 win. 

Will Roberts made the start on the mound for the Cougars allowing 1 run in 6.0 innings pitched. Jack Westerhoff (1-2) would get the win on the mound going 1.2 innings pitched and allowing 1 run. 

The Cougars now sit at 15-27 overall on the season and 12-16 in WHAC Conference play. The Cougars look to play a crucial 4 game series at the University of Northwestern Ohio with WHAC Playoff hopes on the line this weekend. Their first doubleheader starts this Saturday in Lima, Ohio. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM.