Offensive Explosion Leads Cougars to 13-3 Win Against Madonna

(Livonia, MI) -- The Cleary Cougars Baseball team resumed their suspended game against Madonna today. The game was previously suspended because of darkness and would be resumed at the top of the 4th inning. 

Madonna took an early 3-0 lead after the first inning, but the Cougars would fight back and tie the game up in the top of the second. With runners on, Jake VanderHaar singled to centerfield that scored Brodie Mackay. Austin Vincent then had a sacrifice bunt that scored Braylon Hughes, which was then followed by a Gavin Kempainen single that scored Jake VanderHaar. With the game tied 3-3, Braylon Hughes opened the game up with a 2 RBI single in the third inning. Jake VanderHaar followed that up with another 2 RBI single, giving the Cougars a 7-3 lead after three innings of play. The game would initially be suspended at this point due to darkness and then picked back up today. The Cougars picked up right where they left off when Chase Palmer singled up the middle to score Conner Boone. The Cougars' offense would explode for five runs in the fifth inning. After a Brice Wesley double and a Ryan Rose walk, Brodie Mackay doubled to right center, scoring Brice Wesley. Chase Palmer was then hit by the pitch to load the bases for Hector Montilla, who was pinch-hitting.  He would rope a double to right center that cleared the bases, increasing the lead to 12-3. A few batters later, Austin Vincent had another sacrifice bunt that scored Braylon Hughes. Marty McDonald would come in to pitch for the Cougars for the final inning and shut down Madonna, giving the Cougars a 13-3 win. 

Brendan Seman (3-2) started the original game on March 17 and would pick back up where he left off today for a final stat line of 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R (1 ER), 4 BB, and 8 SO. Freshman Jake VanderHaar picked up his first collegiate three hit game as well. 

The Cougars are now 14-11 overall and 4-2 in WHAC Conference play. The Cougars hit the field again tomorrow when they take on NCAA DI Oakland University Grizzlies in a nonconference matchup. The single 9-inning game will take place at Oakland Baseball Field in Rochester, Michigan, at 3:00 PM.