Cougars Split on Senior Day, Cerven Breaks Single Season Triple's Record

(Howell, MI) -- The Cleary Cougars baseball team took on the Madonna University Crusaders today in a WHAC Conference matchup. They also honored the 19 Seniors today that will be graduating this year. 

In Game 1: With Madonna getting out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, Gavin Kempainen and Brice Wesley would get back-to-back hits setting up Ben Cerven to hit a sacrifice fly to cut the lead in half. Sam Browne would then single to tie the game 2-2. After the Crusaders took a 3-2 lead, a Marcel Garcia triple to right center would score Kristian Scalf. Zach Agemak would ground out to second, allowing Marcel Garcia to score and give the Cougars a 4-3 lead. In the 4th, the Cougars would pull away with a bunt single RBI by Gavin Kempainen. Brice Wesley would then hit an inside-the-park 2-run home run, his 4th of the year making it a 7-3 lead. Madonna would go on to score 2 more runs throughout the game to close in the lead to 7-5. In the 6th inning, Ben Cerven would triple to center field allowing Zach Agemak to score for another insurance run. Jack Westeroff would come in the game in the 7th inning going a perfect 1-2-3 to give him his 2nd save of the season and the Cougars an 8-5 win. 

Marty McDonald (2-5) would pick up the win on the mound after going 4.0 innings while allowing 3 runs on 5 hits. Ben Cerven's triple breaks the single-season triples record, previously held by current teammate Kristian Scalf who had 4 in 2023. 

In Game 2: The Crusaders would not take the Game 1 loss lightly as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead after 2 innings of play. The Cougars would get a run back in both the 3rd and 4th inning on fielders' choice plays. In the 5th inning and down 15-2, the Cougars would find a small spark. Brice Wesley would hit a 2 run home run, his 4th on the season. Ben Cerven would add to his single-season triple record with another triple and would score on a groundout. Madonna would shut Cleary down from there and go on to win 15-5, run-ruling the Cougars in a 7-inning game. 

Jeremy Fuchs (1-2) would suffer the loss after allowing 8 runs in 1.1 innings pitched. Brice Wesley finished 1-3 at the plate with a home run and 3 RBIs in the game. 

The Cougars now sit at 14-26 overall on the season and 11-15 in WHAC Conference play. The Cougars will play at Lake Trust Stadium one last time this season with a doubleheader scheduled for Tuesday against the Aquinas University Saints. First pitch is set for 3:00 PM.