Kenowa (DH) Recap

Today, fresh off the sweep of the Jenison Wildcats, the Scots took the bus yet again bound for Kenowa Hills to take on the Knights for a rematch of last years regional semifinals. Last year, the game was a 2-1 defensive battle, and this year the first game started fairly well the same. The Scots struck first in the very first inning with an RBI ground out by Joe Stegehuis. An error lead to the second run and the Scots lead 2-0 early, which would prove more than enough for starter Sam Vanderwal. A ground out in the second lead to the Knights cutting the lead to 2-1, but that would be the only run that they managed off of Vanderwal, who picks up the win and threw 6 innings and allowed only 4 hits while striking out 9. The Scots other runs were driven in by a single by Mitch McCallum and when Logan Hudson was hit by a pitch. Cody Jakiel closed the door with a quick 7th inning and the Scots took game 1, 5-1.
Matt Kikkert started the second game for the Scots today, a week removed from a stellar performance at EK. When Kikkert left the game after 2, the Scots trailed 3-1 with the lone run being driven in on a double by Mitch Horgan. The offense picked it up in the third, when both Joe Stegehuis and Logan Hudson singling in runs to tie the game at 3 a piece. After a couple shutout defensive innings, the Scots took the lead on a sacrifice fly by Mitch McCallum. Drake Ellens sac fly following gave the Scots a 5-3 lead. This lead however did not hold. A couple walks and a hit lead to the Knights cutting the margin to 5-4 after 5, and then 2 walks and 3 errors and one very well timed hit lead to the Knights scoring 5 runs in the 6th inning to take the eventual final score of 9-5. 6 total errors throughout the game for the Scots did them in, as usually the 5 runs would be enough to get them the win. The Scots record now sits at 8-4 and 5-1 in the OK White, tied with Lowell for first place. This week, the Scots play Tuesday at home against EGR, then Wednesday at Fifth Third Field in a doubleheader against EGR, Thursday on the road at EGR, Friday a road trip to Holland West Ottawa and the week ends Saturday with a doubleheader at Northpointe Christian.

5 Game Thoughts:

1) Shoutout to Alex Coon for tracking down all those foul balls today. It saved all of us a lot of running around because they put their field way too close to the football field.
2) Shoutout to all of the parents for all of the food they always bring between doubleheaders, it has always been great ever since we all started playing together. That definately is one thing that I will miss so much about the doubleheaders is all of the food, some real great cooking.
3) This week is gonna be a huge week for the team with 4 games against EGR, a quality program, and then road trips at West Ottawa and Northpointe. Not gonna lie, the 6 road games in 4 days sounds rough, not sure why we can't get more home games scheduled..we out way too much work into the field not to play at home a ton.
4) One thing that makes this team so enjoyable is the laid back style that we all carry. The comfortability that we all have with each other, such as the ability to make fun of anyone on the team for no particular reason just keeps a good loose environment we all succeed in. Even the parents and the players interact so well that we seem like one big giant family.
5) Today, I got back on my pitching rituals of throwing and then jamming to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Those guys are the most underrated music group in all of the world. Their greatest hits album is always on loop in my car.