Cal EGR Recap April 28

Today, the Caledonia Scots were back home (a very rare occasion) in the first game of a series with the dreaded East Grand Rapids Pioneers. To anyone who isn't from West Michigan, it is very similar to Duke. Either you love em or you hate em, there is no in between. Everyone roots against East no matter what the circumstances are or who they play. The Scots sent their workhorse Caleb Sleeman to the hill today and he did what he does best. The Scots offense clicked early and often plating 9 runs across in the first 4 innings to take a 9-0 lead. In this time, Caleb Sleeman also gave up only one hit, a very cheap blooper in the 4th. In the top of the fifth, the Scots committed two errors which lead to the first run for the Pioneers to cut the lead to 9-1. Usually, the difference from a 8 to 9 run game is insufficient, but when the Scots could only muster one run across in the bottom half of the 5th to make it 10-1, they were one run short of a mercy meaning that they would have to play the 6th. And in the 6th, the wheels started to fall off. An unfortunate call by an umpire on his interpretation of the strike zone, an error and walks and hit batsmen galore allowed the Pioneers to slowly chip away at the once insurmountable 10-1 lead. At 10-7, with two runners on and two out, Nick Tuori came in to strand the runners. The Scots in the bottom of the 6th responded offensively with 6 runs of their own to make it 16-7, but once again fell  a run short of mercying the Pioneers. The Pioneers had no serious threat in the 7th and the Scots emerged victorious 16-7. Caleb Sleeman yet again earns the win for the Scots, and Nick Tuori picks up his first save. Offensive leaders for the Scots today were Joe Stegehuis who drove in 4, Austin Coon who drove in 3, and Logan Hudson and Mitch McCallum who drove in 2. Tomorrow these two teams meet at 4:00 at Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps for a doubleheader. The first game counts toward the league standing, and the second is a nonleague game. It is $5 for admission I am pretty sure so I suggest you have it just to be safe. It would be awesome to get a huge crowd for the games tomorrow!

Game Thoughts:

1) There was 12 runs combined in the 6th inning, are you flipping kidding me? As a pitcher, I naturally would much rather see dueling shutouts so the 23 combined runs definitely was not my forte, I can imagine being a fan sitting in the cold however, 23 runs is more entertaining but it also prolongs the process of getting home. That game did take 3.5 hours today...
2) I just love coming in as a reliever in crunchtime situations. There is not a bigger rush than getting an out with runners on and your team trying to hold on to the lead. Best baseball role of all, bullpen.
3) Sleeman is good. That kid is just a machine, constantly getting guys out and embarrassing them in the process. Not gonna brag but between him and I, 630 North Wonders got every out but 1. That'll be a story to share at MSU next year. (By the way we will accept food donations next fall)
4) Anyone who can make it tomorrow I strongly encourage it. It will be a once in a lifetime experience not only as a player but as a fan to watch kids you know play in a minor league park.
5) Lowell won again so it's gonna be an interesting spring for OK White Baseball fans. The two of us are tied and meet up next week, but its important that we take care of business against EGR to make sure that the series is still as meaningful next week. The bats need to stay hot, and the gloves need to field at a better clip as a whole and we will be right where we need to be.