Cougars Offense Explodes on First Day of Conference Play

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougars baseball team got to host UM-Dearborn today in their first WHAC matchup of the year. The Cougar's offense would explode for 26 runs combined in the two games.

In Game 1: The Wolverines would come hot out of the gate and put pressure on the Cougars. They would score 4 runs on 5 hits for an early 4-0 lead in the 1st inning. After another run and a 5-0 lead for the Wolverines, the Cougars would fight back scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 2nd. Robert Kortas would get the scoring going by stealing home on a throw down to second by the Wolverine's catcher. Max Tomaszewski would then hit his first home run of the year to make it a 5-3 game. In the 3rd inning, the Cougars would take the lead on a bases-loaded walk scoring Albert Gonzalez. Max Tomaszewski would then single to left field scoring Marcel Garcia and Brice Wesley taking a 6-5 lead. The Cougars would increase their lead to 8-5 when Spencer Jamieson stepped up to the plate in the 4th inning and blasted a 2-run home run to center field, his first of the season. In the 5th, the Cougars would score two more runs, one coming off of a Ben Cerven triple and the other coming off of a Spencer Jamieson sacrifice fly. The Cougars would control this 10-5 lead, picking up their first WHAC conference win of the season.

Nate Raniszewski would get his second win of the year on the mound, improving to a 2-1 pitching record on the year. Pitchers Ryan Lieng, Josh Lucier, and Aiden Mindel would all pitch one inning in this game as well. 

In Game 2: The Cougars offense would explode in this game, scoring a season-high 16 runs. In the bottom of the 1st, the Cougars would score 9 runs which included a 2 RBI single by Robert Kortas and a bases-clearing 3 RBI double by Max Tomaszewski. In the 2nd, Robert Kortas would single to center field, scoring Brice Wesley increasing the lead to 10-0. The Cougar's offense would continue to dominate the Wolverines pitching, scoring 6 more runs in the 4th inning. Zach Agemak would have a bases-clearing 3 RBI triple in this inning scoring Kristian Scalf, Brice Wesley, and Lance Wiltse. Brady Alverson would also hit a triple this inning scoring Ashton Saigh. 

Haden Fisk got the start for the Cougars, making his first appearance of the season along with picking up his first win on the mound. Brody Fay would get 4 strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work. Tim Barno also made his season debut today, striking out the side in 1.0 innings of work. Between the 4 pitchers in this game, they would only allow 1 run off of 2 hits, and striking out 11 as a staff. 

The Cougars improve to 4-9 overall and 2-0 in WHAC conference play. They look to keep the bats hot when they travel to Detroit tomorrow to take on Lawrence Tech University in a WHAC conference matchup. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM.