Red Storm Late Inning Heroics Too Much for Cougars to Handle

(Rio Grande, OH)-- The Cleary Cougars baseball team took a trip down south for a late weekend series against the University of Rio Grande. They took on the cold Sunday weather with a double-header against the Red Storm.  

In Game 1: The Cougars would strike first in the top of the 2nd inning when Max Tomaszewski singled scoring Sam Browne. Ben Cerven would increase the lead to 2-0 in the top of the 3rd inning with a solo home run to left field. Rio Grande would put pressure on the Cougars in the 4th and 5th innings but pitcher Nate Raniszewski would get out of them. In the 6th, the Cougars would boost their lead to 3-0 when Ben Cerven would score from 3rd base on a wild pitch. Rio Grande wouldn't go down without a fight as in the bottom of the 7th inning they would apply pressure. Rio Grande would score 3 runs to tie the game on a bases-clearing double. After an intentional walk and single, Cougar pitcher Jeremy Fuchs would be put in a tough situation with bases loaded and no outs. A walk for Rio Grande would prove to be the decider as they would go on to win the game 4-3. 

Nate Raniszewski would earn his first loss on the mound this season going 6.0 innings, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. 

In Game 2: The Red Storm took the lead early scoring 1 run in the bottom of the 2nd inning before the Cougars bats would come alive. In the top of the 3rd inning, the Cougars would take a 2-1 lead from a Brady Alverson double that would score Marcel Garcia and Kristian Scalf. Ben Cerven would hit a sacrifice fly to score Gavin Kempainen and Sam Browne would single to left center scoring Brady Alverson taking the lead to 4-1. In the 4th, the Cougars increased their lead to 5-1 after Zach Agemak singled to center scoring Ashton Saigh. Rio Grande would respond in the bottom of the 4th inning with a 3-run home run and 2 more runs to take the lead 6-5. Cleary responded in the top of the 5th when Ben Cerven scored on a wild pitch. Gavin Kemainen would hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the 7th inning scoring Zach Agemak to take a 7-6 lead. Rio Grande would ultimately come out on top however as a 2 run walk-off home run would end the game leaving the final score 8-7 in favor of the Red Storm. 

Marty McDonald started for the Cougars and would go 3.0 innings pitched allowing 6 runs (5 earned). Ryan Lieng would receive the loss allowing 2 runs on 3 hits in 3.2 innings pitched. 

The Cougars are now 1-3 to start the year. They will be back in action on Monday for day two of their series with the Red Storm with two games set to be played. Game 1 is scheduled to start at 12:00 PM EST.