April 16 Jenison Recap

After 7 games being cancelled due to weather, the Scots finally got the opportunity to lace up the spikes, button up the purple jerseys and face a real opponent. The defending OK White champion Jenison Wildcats were quite the first opponent. Today was a pitching matchup of two of the conference's premier arms of Caledonia's Dan Zeman against Jenison's Pat Leatherman (CMU Commit). Everyone expected a low scoring, pitchers duel and the game definately lived up to the hype. Pitching was the dominating force today as both of these two were on their A-game all day. Zeman lasted 4 innings and scattered only 3 hits and 1 controversially earned run. In the first inning with runners on the corners and one out, the first base runner Jake Ardsten took off stealing second. A beautiful bullet delivered from Chris Clark behind the dish appeared to clearly get to Huddy in time to record the out. The only person who would disagree is the one man who's opinion actually counts, the field umpire. The Wildcats ended up scoring on a sac fly to centerfield which had the first play been called correctly it would have been out number three. This would be the only run scored by the Wildcats all game. The Scots pitching was not the only reason they received such lofty expectations, as the offense is definately capable of producing great things. However, when you have not faced live pitching all year and the first guy you face is hard throwing, Central Michigan commit Pat Leatherman it's not the easy transition like you usually get. The Scots lack of live reps due to the bipolar mess of a state we live in showed, as they only put up 2 hits, both in the same inning and both by guys with the same name. Mitch Horgan singled to the right side and then two batters later Mitch McCallum singled to the left side, yet both of these guys never scored as the Scots could not get that one extra ball in play to plate a runner. Only three other base runners reached, a walk by Logan Hudson, Chris Clark getting hit and Mitch McCallum reaching on an error. Other than that Pat Leatherman had the Scots number all game going complete game to record the shutout striking out 14 batters. The Scots fall to 0-1 on the year, yet they have an immediate chance to rebound at home against Jenison tomorrow. Pat Gillies is sending lefty Sam Vanderwal to the bump to try and pick up the Scots first win of the season. Game is at home 430 come out and support your boys.