5/22: Lansing wins game despite comeback 9-8

LANSING, MI- The Lansing Lugnuts (20-23) took an early lead and withheld a ninth-inning comeback by the Lake County Captains (15-28) to take the Wednesday morning game by a final score of 9-8 at Cooley Law School Stadium.

Right-hander Luis DeJesus started his ninth game for the Captains and he opposed righty Ben White, who made his fifth start and tenth appearance for the Lugnuts.

Lake County jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Third baseman Erik Gonzalez led off the game with a solo home run to center field, his third of the year. Shortstop Dorssys Paulino followed with a triple, followed by center fielder Logan Vick driving him in with a sacrifice fly to right field.

Lansing fought back with a five spot in the bottom half of the inning. Second baseman Christian Lopes drove in a run with a RBI single. The big blows in the inning were a pair of two-run home runs by designated hitter Kevin Patterson and right fielder Carlos Ramirez. Patterson has hit three of his four home runs this season against the Captains.

Center fielder Dalton Pompey plated his 10th RBI of the year with a RBI double in the bottom of the fourth inning. Lansing led 6-2 after four innings of play.

The Captains gained a run in the fifth inning to close the gap to three runs. Second baseman Claudio Bautista led off the inning with a double. White attempted to pick Bautista off at second base but the throw was off-line. Bautista advanced to third on the throwing error. Gonzalez grounded out, resulting in a run for the Captains.

DeJesus was replaced after four innings, taking the loss. He allowed six runs on seven hits with two walks and a season-high eight strikeouts. DeJesus now leads the league in home runs allowed with 10 this year. Luis Morel came in to pitch the fifth inning.

White got his second win of the year after five innings. He surrendered three runs on six hits while allowing three walks and fanning four batters. Reliever Efrain Nieves entered the game in the sixth inning.

Lansing opened a seven-run advantage with three runs in the seventh. First baseman Kellen Sweeney lined a one-out single to left field. Two consecutive wild pitches moved Sweeney to third base. Lopes coaxed a one-out walk. Morel’s third wild pitch moved Lopes into scoring position. Patterson struck again with a RBI single to center field. A fielding error by Paulino brought in another run. Left fielder Chris Hawkins ended the scoring for the Lugnuts with a RBI single.

Ian Kadish relieved Nieves for the ninth inning. Nieves threw three scoreless innings of relief with two hits and four strikeouts. Kadish was rocked by the Captains to start the ninth.

Left fielder Jorge Martinez scored right fielder Anthony Santander with a single after Santander led off with a double. Martinez stole second before Bautista reached on a fielding error by the third baseman. Gonzalez laced a two-run triple to right field. Paulino doubled home Gonzalez before Lansing manager Jose Tamargo Jr. made the call to the bullpen to summon closer Arik Sikula.

Sikula allowed a two-out double to catcher Jeremy Lucas before getting the game-ending strikeout. Lansing won the game 9-8 despite Lake County’s five runs in the ninth.

Kadish allowed five runs (three earned runs) on four hits without recording an out. Sikula picked up his fourth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

Morel’s final line was four innings with three runs (two earned) on three hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Paulino and Santander led the Captains with three hits each. Paulino had his first three-hit game of the season and he was a home run shy of the cycle. Gonzalez drove in half of the runs in the game.

The Captains and Lugnuts will conclude their three-game series on Thursday night. LHP Ryan Merritt (2-3, 3.35 ERA) will take the ball for Lake County. For Lansing, LHP Daniel Norris (0-3, 7.71 ERA) will make the start. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM from Cooley Law School Stadium. 

5/17: Captains sunk by Tincaps, 4-3

EASTLAKE, OH- The Fort Wayne Tincaps (24-15) scored two runs in the seventh inning and withheld a rally by the Lake County Captains (13-25) to take game one of the series on Friday night in front of 5,847 fans by a final score of 4-3.

Right-hander Luis Dejesus started his eighth game of the year for the Captains as right-hander Zach Elfin, who was making his seventh start for the Tincaps, opposed him.

The Captains took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Shortstop Dorssys Paulino reached on a fielder’s choice that erased left fielder LeVon Washington’s leadoff walk. Centerfielder Logan Vick doubled to left field to put two runners on with only one out. Catcher Jeremy Lucas lined a double down the right field line to score both runners.

Fort Wayne pulled within a run in the second inning thanks to a bases-loaded groundout by right fielder Brian Adams.

The Tincaps scored another run in the third inning. Centerfielder Mallex Smith led off with a single, he stole second base and a wild pitch moved him to third base. Designated hitter Jeremy Baltz grounded out to second base, bringing in Smith to tie the game.

Elfin came out of the game after five innings, allowing two runs on five hits for a no-decision. He walked two and he fanned a season high six batters. Right-hander Matthew Shepherd entered for the sixth inning.

Fort Wayne took the lead and ended Dejesus’s night in the seventh inning. First baseman Luis Tejeda led off with a double to left field and left fielder Corey Adamson followed with a walk. Following a bunt popout, shortstop Stephen Carmon tripled down the right-field line to plate two runners.

Manager Scooter Tucker made the call to the bullpen, replacing Dejesus with another Luis, bringing in Luis Morel. Dejesus threw a season-high six and one third innings. He surrendered four runs on six hits. He walked three and struck out only one batter in his fourth loss of the year.

“He pitched well; it was one real base hit that hurt him tonight,” Tucker said about DeJesus’ start.

The Captains cut the lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth. Shortstop Dorssys Paulino doubled off the third baseman’s glove to lead off the inning. A groundout moved Paulino to third base. Lucas singled home Paulino for his third RBI of the night. Lake County had two runners on with one out but Shepherd instigated a rally-ending double play.

Fort Wayne could not muster a run in the top of the ninth as Morel walked the bases loaded. Morel got Baltz to swing and miss at a third strike to end the inning.  Morel threw two and two thirds scoreless innings of relief without allowing a hit. He walked four and struck out five batters.

Chris Nunn ended the game on an unassisted double play from third baseman Leonardo Castillo to pick up his third save of the year.

Shepherd picked up his third win after allowing one run on two hits in three innings of relief.

Lucas led the team with two hits and three RBI’s. Paulino also added two hits. 

“He had a wonderful night at the plate,” Tucker said about Lucas’ night at the plate.  ”He has been swinging the bat well as of late, which is why we have him in the middle of the lineup.”

Despite the loss, Tucker was upbeat on the way his team performed.

“I was very pleased with the game tonight,” he said.  ”These are games that you want to be in but you want to be on the winning side. There were no errors and it was a nice, clean game for these guys.” 

The Captains and Tincaps will resume their four game series with a game on Saturday night. Lake County will send LHP Ryan Merritt (1-3, 3.50 ERA) to the mound to face RHP Ruben Mejia (2-3, 2.70 ERA) for Fort Wayne. First pitch is set for 6:30 PM from Classic Park with fireworks to follow.

5/13: Hot Rods take series with 6-1 win

BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY- The Bowling Green Hot Rods (23-12) used another great pitching performance and an early 2-0 lead to defeat the Lake County Captains (12-22) by a final score of 6-1 on Monday afternoon.

Lefty Ryan Merritt started the game for the Captains as he took on right-hander Jeff Ames for Bowling Green in the matinee rubber game.

The Hot Rods took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Centerfielder Andrew Toles led off the inning with a double to left field. Right fielder Joey Rickard plated Toles with a RBI single to left field. Merritt then loaded the bases with three walks. First baseman Patrick Leonard brought home a run with a sacrifice fly to left.

Bowling Green used a three-spot in the fifth inning to blow the game open. Back-to-back singles opened the inning and then Rickard struck again with a two-run double to centerfield. The last run of the inning came on a RBI groundout by second baseman Thomas Coyle. After five innings of play, the home team led 5-0.

Merritt was the first pitcher to leave the game as he departed after five innings. Merritt lost his third game of the season, surrendering five runs on seven hits. He walked a season-high six batters and he struck out two. Merritt had five walks entering Monday’s game.

Reliever Josh Martin came to pitch the sixth inning for the Captains.

Ames improved to 5-0 on the season with six shutout innings. He only allowed two hits and one walk along with five punchouts. Brandon Henderson followed with two shutout innings of relief work.

Toles led off the seventh inning with his seventh triple of the year. Rickard drove in his fourth RBI of the game with a single through the left side. Bowling Green held a 6-0 lead after seven innings.

Shortstop Erik Gonzalez broke the shutout with his second homerun of the year. Gonzalez has hit two homeruns in the last three games. Hot Rods’ reliever Nick Sawyer retired the final two batters to end the game with the score 6-1.

Martin threw three innings to end the game, only allowing one run on three hits.

Sawyer gave up the homerun, his only blemish in his one inning of work.

The Captains were held to three hits on Monday with centerfielder LeVon Washington and catcher Eric Haase each having a double. Gonzalez added the homerun for the third hit.

Toles and Rickard combined to go 6-8 in the game with three extra-base hits and four RBI’s.

The Captains will return to Classic Park on Tuesday to open a seven-game homestand and a three game series with the Lansing Lugnuts. RHP Michael Peoples (1-2, 1.96 ERA) will make his first start of the year as he will be opposed by RHP Javier Avendano (2-2, 5.13 ERA) for the Lugnuts. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM from Classic Park.

 

The Week Inside the Storm: May 6th-May 12th

The Spring season and semester has come to an end and all of the hype of the Storm postseason adventures turned into heartbreak over the weekend. Starting next Monday, I will have a series of blogs recapping each team this Spring. It will have a breakdown with stats and hopefully comments from the coaches of each team.

Men’s Lacrosse: 0-1

5/11 @ Mercyhurst in NCAA D-2 Tournament First Round: L 10-9 (OT)

• Reagan Harding: 3 Goals
• Trevor Tarte: 3 Goals
• MacGregor Johnston: 2 Goals
• Keegan Bal: 1 Goal/2 Assists

Quick Takes: Lake Erie was qualified for the NCAA D2 Tournament as the at-large bid. They had played Mercyhurst twice before to the max and they had all of the hype and excitement in the world. They had the lead on the Lakers most of the game until the Lakers tied the game late. Lake Erie had a chance to win the game in the final minute but could not find the back of the net. Mercyhurst won the game with under two minutes left in the sudden death period. Lake Erie finished their dream season at 12-5 overall and 5-2 in the ECAC.

Up Next for the Storm: Season is over

Baseball: 1-2

5/8 @ Grand Valley State in GLIAC Tournament: L 8-0

• Cody Blood (3B): 1-4, 2B
• Pat Kilway (DH): 1-3, SB

5/9 vs. Saginaw Valley State in GLIAC Tournament: W 6-5

• Aaron Lindgren (LF): 3-4, 3B, 2 RBI, R, SB, BB
• Dylan Yankle (C): 3-4, 2 RBI, R
• Sean Mathews (SS): 2-4, RBI, SF
• Zach Mosbarger (CF): 2-4, 2B, RBI
• Adam Beach (SP): W (4-3), 6 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 SO

5/10 vs. Ohio Dominican in GLIAC Tournament: L 8-7 (11)

• Aaron Lindgren (LF): 3-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB, R, SB
• Garrett Emling (RF): 1-5, 2 RBI, BB
• Pat Kilway (DH): 2-4, RBI
• Sean Mathews (SS): 1-3, 2B, SAC

Team Totals:

• 30 Hits
• 13 Runs
• .285 Batting Average (30-105)
• 5.64 Earned Run Average

Individual Leaders:

• Aaron Lindgren: .545 Average (6-11), 2 2B, 3B, 5 RBI
• Sean Mathews: .400 Average (4-10), RBI, BB

Quick Takes: The Lake Erie Storm baseball team qualified for the GLIAC Tournament despite a struggle during the season. The Storm fell to the top seed in the opening game and they were determined to move through the consolation bracket. They held off the Cardinals of Saginaw Valley when they scored 5 runs in the last two innings. They took on Ohio Dominican on Friday and their season came to a close on a heartbreak moment. Aaron Lindgren tied the game in the ninth with a two-run double. The Storm took a lead in the 11th inning on a error but fell with a two-run single in the bottom half of the inning. The Storm finished with a overall record of 18-30 and a GLIAC record of 14-18.

Up Next for the Storm: Season is over.

Congratulations to all of the LEC graduates!

5/12: Captains shutout by Hot Rods 8-0

BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY- The Lake County Captains (12-21) were on the other side of a two-hitter on Sunday afternoon as the Bowling Green Hot Rods (22-12) defeated the Captains by a final score of 8-0.

Bowling Green jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning off of Captains’ starter Luis Dejesus. Centerfielder Andrew Toles lined a two-out single to left field and stole second and third on consecutive pitches. Following a walk, third baseman Tyler Goeddel scored Toles with a RBI double to center field.

The Hot Rods added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Toles reached on a fielding error and stole his third base of the game to move into scoring position. Right fielder Joey Rickard plated Toles with a RBI double to right field. Cue Goeddel, who hit a two-run homerun to right field to give the Hot Rods a 4-0 lead.

The homerun ended Dejesus’ day at four and two thirds innings. Luis Morel came in and retired the final batter in the fifth.

Dejesus took the loss, allowing one earned run (four runs) on five hits. He walked one and struck out three.

Hot Rods’ starter Taylor Guerreri, the Rays’ 2011 first round draft pick and 2^nd ranked prospect by mlb.com, shut down the Captains in his five innings of work. He allowed only one hit and two walks. Guerreri struck out a season-high ten batters.

Bowling Green batted around in the sixth inning to blow the game open. A RBI double by shortstop Leonardo Reginatto, two-run single by Toles and a Morel wild pitch accounted for the runs scored.

Relievers Jordan Harrison, Marcus Jensen and Matt Ramsey combined to throw four scoreless innings in relief for Bowling Green, only allowing one hit and one walk.

Morel’s final line was four runs allowed on five hits in three and one third innings of work.  He gave up two walks and he fanned two.

Centerfielder LeVon Washington and catcher Jeremy Lucas were the only two Captains batters to reach base in the game. Washington had a single and two walks. Lucas had a single and a walk in the game.

The Captains and Hot Rods will play Monday morning in the rubber game of the three game series. LefthanderRyan Merritt (1-2, 3.19 ERA) will take the ball for the Captains and he will oppose right-hander Jeff Ames (4-0, 1.45 ERA) for the Hot Rods. First pitch is scheduled for 11:35 AM from Bowling Green Ballpark.

5/11: Captains gain 6-1 win over Hot Rods

BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY- The Lake County Captains (12-20) used two home runs and a two-hitter by the pitching staff to take game one over the Bowling Green Hot Rods (21-12) by a final score of 6-1 on Saturday night.

The starting pitching matchup was a right-handed matchup between Dylan Baker (0-2, 3.81 ERA) for the Captains and Edgar Quinonez for the Bowling Green (2-1, 7.54 ERA).

Both pitchers traded zeroes through the first three innings until the Captains broke with three runs in the fourth inning.

Centerfielder Logan Vick and first baseman Nellie Rodriguez opened the frame with back-to-back singles. Vick attempted to score on a sacrifice fly but was thrown out at the plate by right fielder Marty Gantt. Catcher Eric Haase reached on a throwing error by the shortstop. Enter left fielder Jorge Martinez, who launched his first homerun of the year, a three-run bomb to right field.

Third baseman Erik Gonzalez added a run in the fifth inning with his first homerun of the season. The Captains led 5-0 after five innings of work.

Quinonez took the loss after pitching six innings, surrendering four runs (one earned) on four hits. He allowed one walk and fanned three batters. He was relieved by lefty Jose Molina, who put a scoreless seventh inning on the board.

The star of the game was Baker as he stalled the Hot Rods over six innings of work for his first professional win. Baker only allowed a single and a walk while he struck out four batters. Right-hander Felix Sterling came in for the seventh inning.

The Captains opened the largest lead of the night with two runs in the eighth off of reliever Ryan Garton. Vick laced a one-out single to centerfield. Rodriguez brought home Vick with a RBI double. Rodriguez scored on a throwing error by the first baseman.

Captains’ reliever Louis Head came in to pitch the eighth inning after Sterling threw a scoreless seventh inning.

Bowling Green concluded the scoring with a RBI double by first baseman Ryan Dunn in the eighth inning.

Head allowed one run on one hit in two innings of relief. He walked one and struck out two.

Garton gave up two runs on three hits in two innings for the Hot Rods.

The Captains outhit the Hot Rods 7-2 with four extra-base hits (two doubles and two homeruns). Rodriguez led the team with two hits and two runs scored.

Lake County and Bowling Green will resume the three game series on Sunday with a 3:05 start. The probable pitching matchup has RHP Luis Dejesus (0-2, 6.30 ERA) taking the ball for the Captains against RHP Taylor Guerrieri (1-1, 2.45 ERA) for the Hot Rods. 

The Week Inside the Storm: April 29th-May 5th

The regular season has officially come to a close and the playoffs are upon us! The baseball team joins the men and women lacrosse teams in their respective conference tournaments. Next week, there will be another playoff recap and then there will be a series of blogs recapping all of the Spring teams and will include some comments from the coaches.

Men’s Lacrosse: 1-1

5/3 vs. #8 Seton Hill in ECAC Tournament semifinal: W 12-10

• Reagan Harding: 3 Goals/1 Assist
• Keegan Bal: 3 Goals/ 2 Assists
• Josh Becker: 2 Goals/1 Assist
• Trevor Tarte: 2 Goals
• MacGregor Johnston: 2 Goals
• Tom Lipomi: 7 Saves

5/5 @ #1 Mercyhurst in ECAC Tournament Final: L 13-7

• Josh Becker: 2 Goals/2 Assists
• Ryan Jurek: 2 Goals
• MacGregor Johnston: 1 Goal/1 Assist
• Alex Wisner: 5 Saves

Team Totals:

• 19 Goals
• 8 Assists
• 23 Goals Allowed

Individual Leaders:

• Josh Becker: 4 Goals/3 Assists
• Keegan Bal: 3 Goals/3 Assists
• Reagan Harding: 4 Goals/1 Assist
• MacGregor Johnston: 3 Goals/1 Assist

Quick Takes: The men’s lacrosse team was on a mission to begin the ECAC tournament. In order to win the ECAC title, they would have to beat two rivals who they lost to in the regular season. Reagan Harding sent the Storm to the final with a goal with 8:00 minutes left in the game. Mercyhurst took down the Storm in the final for the second time this year. With the win over Seton Hill, the Storm made it to the NCAA Division 2 Championship for the first time in the program’s history. They will face Mercyhurst for the third time this year. Coach Greg Stocks had this to say in a press release on Sunday night after the selection, “We’re very excited for the opportunity to compete in the national tournament, it’s such a big deal for us as just a fourth-year program,” said head coach Greg Stocks.  “Our guys have put in a lot of time, effort and worked really hard to get to this point and it’s great to have the opportunity to play for a national title.” Good luck to the Storm this weekend.

Up Next for the Storm: 5/11 @ #1 Mercyhurst in the NCAA D2 Tournament. The game is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

Baseball: 2-1

5/1 vs. Malone: W 4-2

• Zach Mosbarger (CF): 2-4, RBI, R
• Aaron Lindgren (LF): 1-5, 3B, 2 RBI, R
• Garrett Emling (RF): 1-3, RBI
• Brian Kilway (SP): 6.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 SO

5/4 vs. Northwood Game 1: W 12-5

• Aaron Lindgren (LF): 2-4, RBI, 2 R, BB
• Dylan Yankle (C): 1-3, 2 RBI, SF
• Zach DeCamp (1B): 1-1, RBI, 2 BB, 2 R
• Zach Mosbarger (CF): 0-2, 2 RBI, R, BB, SF

5/4 vs. Northwood Game 2: W 4-1

• Zach DeCamp (1B): 2-3, 2B, RBI, SB
• Cody Blood (3B): 2-2, RBI, BB, R
• Garrett Emling (RF): 2-3, R
• Brad Raley (SP): W(2-4), 6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 8 SO
• Heath Lelley (RP): SV(3), .2 IP, 1 SO

5/5 vs. Northwood on “Senior Day”: L 7-2

• Zach Mosbarger (CF): 3-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, R

Team Totals:

• 30 Hits
• 22 Runs
• .272 Batting Average (30-110)
• 2.25 Earned Run Average

Individual Leaders:

• Zach DeCamp: .500 Average (4-8), 2 RBI, 2B
• Zach Mosbarger: .454 Average (5-11), 5 RBI, 2B, HR

Quick Takes: The baseball team used a few wins over the week to clinch a spot in the GLIAC tournament. Despite the struggles throughout the year, they finished with a 14-18 record in the GLIAC, giving them the #6th seed in the tournament and a date with the top seed Grand Valley State on Wednesday. Senior Zach Mosbarger led the team with 5 RBI’s over the week.

Up Next for the Storm: 5/8 vs. Grand Valley State in the GLIAC Tournament. Game is in Yipsilanti, Michigan and scheduled for 2:00 PM.

Women’s Lacrosse: 0-1

5/3 vs. Tiffin in GLIAC Tournament Semifinal: L 13-11

• Meredith Howe: 5 Goals
• Julia Kudla: 2 Goals/1 Assist
• Hana Abu-Kwiek: 3 Goals
• Ashriel West: 1 Goal/1 Assist
• Katie Holden: 4 Saves

Team Totals:

• 11 Goals
• 2 Assists
• 13 Goals Allowed

Quick Takes: The women’s lacrosse team were looking forward to the GLIAC until they ran into the buzzsaw that was Alexandria Quast of Tiffin. She scored 9 goals in the semifinal and she scored six in the final. Quast scored a NCAA record 105 goals on the season. The Storm will lose a few seniors that helped A LOT this season. They still have nothing to frown over this season after a historic season.

Up Next for the Storm: Season is over.

Good luck to the Storm teams in action this week!

The Week Inside the Storm: April 22nd-April 28th

The school semester comes to a close officially tomorrow but the spring seasons will finish up in the next few days. Baseball will finish the regular season on Sunday as men’s and women’s lacrosse will compete in the playoffs on Friday. After the Spring sports are officially completed, I will have a season recap for all teams as well as insight from the coaches.

Women’s Lacrosse: 3-0

4/22 vs. Alderson-Broaddus: W 21-2

• Michaela Schock: 4 Goals
• Julia Kudla: 3 Goals/6 Assists
• Hana Abu-Kwiek: 5 Goals
• Samantha Gryba: 2 Goals
• Ashriel West: 1 Goal/3 Assists
• Kim Dang: 2 G

4/26 vs. Walsh: W 19-4

• Julia Kudla: 2 Goals/8 Assists
• Michaela Schock: 2 Goals
• Brittney Rabuano: 4 Goals
• Meredith Howe: 3 Goals/1 Assist
• Samantha Gryba: 3 Goals
• Ashriel West: 2 Goals/2 Assists
• Allison Trombetti: 2 Goals/2 Assists

4/28 vs. Wheeling Jesuit: W 23-1 “Senior Day”

• Meredith Howe: 3 Goals/5 Assists
• Julia Kudla: 3 Goals/5 Assists
• Michaela Schock: 3 Goals
• Samantha Gryba: 2 Goals
• Hana Abu-Kwiek: 3 Goals/2 Assists
• Ashriel West: 5 Goals

Team Totals:

• 63 Goals
• 42 Assists
• 7 Goals Allowed

Individual Leaders:

• Julia Kudla: 8 Goals/19 Assists
• Michaela Schock: 9 Goals
• Meredith Howe: 6 Goals/6 Assists
• Hana Abu-Kwiek: 9 Goals
• Samantha Gryba: 7 Goals

Quick Takes: The Storm has won five straight to end the regular season. They finish with a record of 13-4 overall and a 7-1 record in the GLIAC. The 2013 season is the best season in the program’s short four year history. They will take on Tiffin in the GLIAC tournament at Grand Valley State. With a win, they will face the winner of Notre Dame College and Grand Valley State. The Storm will lose six seniors after this season to graduation. The Storm was led this year by Julia Kudla with 129 points. The Storm definitely some momentum heading into the playoffs, hopefully they can ride it to the championship game.

Up Next for the Storm: 5/3 vs. Tiffin in GLIAC semifinals at Grand Valley State, game at 4:00 PM

Men’s Lacrosse: 2-0

4/25 @ Ohio Valley: W 21-3

• Trevor Tarte: 10 Goals
• Keegan Bal: 4 Goals/4 Assists
• Joeyjohn French: 3 Goals
• Mitch Shafer: 3 Assists
• Tom Lipomi: 7 Saves

4/28 @ Wingate: W 17-7

• Keegan Bal: 4 Goals/2 Assists
• Trevor Tarte: 4 Goals
• Josh Becker: 4 Assists
• Reagan Harding: 4 Goals
• Joeyjohn French: 3 Goals

Team Totals:

• 38 Goals
• 19 Assists
• 10 Goals Allowed

Individual Leaders:

• Trevor Tarte: 14 Goals
• Keegan Bal: 8 Goals/6 Assists
• Reagan Harding: 5 Goals
• Mitch Shafer: 1 Goal/4 Assists
• Joeyjohn French: 6 Goals

Quick Takes: The Storm has three straight and seven of their last eight games. They finished with a 11-3 overall record and 5-2 in the ECAC. All three losses were against top 10 competition throughout the year. They made history with a record-breaking season. They face Seton Hill in the ECAC tournament held at Mercyhurst University. The winner will face the winner of Mercyhurst and Wheeling Jesuit in the championship game on Sunday at noon. 14 seniors will graduate and leave the Storm with some holes to fill. Keegan Bal led the team in points with 74. Bal was named the ECAC Offensive Player of the Year. Bal led the league in points and was third in goal scoring.  Bal was named Offensive Player of the Week three times during the season and was third in points scored in NCAA Division II. Coach Greg Stocks was named ECAC Coach of the Year by the league. Seven players were placed on the All-ECAC teams.

Up Next for the Storm: 5/3 vs. Seton Hill in ECAC semifinal at Mercyhurst University. Game is scheduled for 2 PM.

Baseball: 3-2

4/23 @ Mercyhurst: Cancelled

4/26 vs. Malone Game 1: L 3-2 (10)

• Aaron Lindgren (LF): 2-5
• Zach Mosbarger (CF): 2-4
• Josh Hudeck (2B): 1-4, 1B, RBI, SB
• Brian Kilway (SP): 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 SO

4/26 vs. Malone Game 2: W 11-4

• Aaron Lindgren (LF): 3-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R
• Garrett Emling (RF): 3-4, R
• Pat Kilway (1B): 2-2, 2B, RBI, 2 R
• Sean Mathews (SS): 2-2, 2 RBI
• Rutger Luebke (C): 1-4, 2B, RBI, R
• Zach Mosbarger (CF): 1-2, 2B, RBI, R
• Adam Beach (SP): w (3-3), 6 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 SO

4/27 vs. Findlay Game 1: W 4-1

• Cody Blood (3B): 2-3, R
• Pat Kilway (DH): 2-3, RBI, R
• Sean Mathews (SS): 1-3, 2 RBI
• Russ Hogue (SP): W (2-2), 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 SO
• Heath Kelley (RP): SV (2), 1 IP, 3 SO

4/27 vs. Findlay Game 2: L 10-3

• Sean Mathews (SS): 2-3, 2 RBI
• Cody Blood (3B): 2-4
• Pat Kilway (DH): 1-3, RBI
• Aaron Lindgren (LF): 1-4, 2B, R

4/28 vs. Findlay: W 11-4

• Dillon Van Dyne (2B): 1-4, 2 RBI, 2 R (2-run squeeze bunt in 2nd inning)
• Aaron Lindgren (LF): 2-5, RBI, 2 R
• Cody Blood (3B): 3-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R
• Pat Kilway (DH): 2-4, 2 RBI
• Sean Mathews (SS): 2-4, RBI, R
• Logan Nordquist (SP): W (1-8), 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 3 SO

Team Totals:

• 52 Hits
• 31 Runs
• .331 Batting Average (52-157)
• 3.60 Earned Run Average

Individual Leaders:

• Aaron Lindgren: .380 Average (8-21), 4 RBI, 2 HR
• Sean Mathews: .436 Average (7-16), 7 RBI
• Pat Kilway: .436 Average (7-16), 5 RBI

Quick Takes: The baseball team is winding down their season with a GLIAC series against Northwood. The Storm has a record of 14-27 before the Malone game with a 11-17 GLIAC record. Lake Erie is also in the running for a GLIAC tournament spot. Once the conference games are over, the Storm will know the opposition if they make it.

Up Next for the Storm: 5/1 @ Malone at 7:00 PM, 5/4-5/5 vs. Northwood (5/4-DH @ 1 PM/3 PM, 5/5 Senior Day” @ 12 PM)

Softball: 0-8

4/23 vs. Ohio Dominican Game 1: L 5-1

• Courtney Hawk (CF): 2-3
• Meredith Scholle (C): 1-3, 2B, RBI

4/23 vs. Ohio Dominican Game 2: L 10-2 (5)

• MacKenzie Quinn (SS): 1-2, HR, RBI, R

4/24 vs. Tiffin: Postponed to April 28th @ 12 PM

4/26 @ Walsh Game 1: L 9-1 (5)

• Meredith Scholle (C): 1-2, R
• Amanda Anderson (1B): 1-2

4/26 @ Walsh Game 2: L 10-0 (5)

• Amanda Anderson (1B): 1-2

4/27 @ Notre Dame College Game 1: L 5-0

• MacKenzie Quinn (SS): 1-3, 2B

4/27 @ Notre Dame College Game 2: L 8-0

• Jennifer Gratz (LF): 2-3
• Chelsey Bleck (CF): 1-3, 2B

4/28 vs. Tiffin Game 1: L 9-0 (5) ” Senior Day”

• Jennifer Gratz (LF): 1-2

4/28 vs. Tiffin Game 2: L 11-1 (5)

• Katarina Davis (RF): 0-2, RBI
• MacKenzie Quinn (SS): 1-1, BB
• Dawn Ondercin (LF): 2-2, 2B

Team Totals:

• 24 Hits
• 5 Runs
• .156 Batting Average (24-153)
• 10.50 Earned Run Average

Individual Leaders:

• MacKenzie Quinn: .277 Average (5-18), 2 RBI
• Jennifer Gratz: .235 Average (4-17)

Quick Takes: The softball season is over after a disappointing year. They finished with a overall record of 2-36 and a GLIAC record of 0-26. They dropped 31 straight ballgames dating back to March 7th. The Storm struggled with injuries as they had only 9 players healthy on the roster for the last week of games. First baseman Jennifer Gratz led the team with .281 batting average. The Storm will only lose one senior next year as OF Chelsey Bleck is graduating.

Up Next for the Storm: Season is over

4/29: Captains sweep twinbill from Cougars

EASTLAKE, OH- The Lake County Captains (8-16) came from behind late in both games to sweep the doubleheader from the Kane County Cougars (8-13) by a final score of 7-6 in the first game. Lake County won the nightcap 4-2.

In game one, Lake County sent right-hander Luis Dejesus (0-2, 5.85 ERA) to the mound for the first game of the doubleheader to face Felix Pena (0-0, 2.60 ERA) for the Cougars.

Kane County scored the first run playing small-ball. Left fielder Pin-Chien Chen led off with a walk. Chen stole second and moved to third on a bunt single to first base. First baseman Dan Vogelbach grounded out to plate Chen.

LeVon Washington doubled in the bottom of the first. He moved to third on a sacrifice fly and scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at one.

The Cougars used two homeruns to take a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning. Vogelbach hit his third homerun of the year, a solo shot to right field. Following a walk, first baseman Rock Shoulders hit a two-run homerun off the scoreboard in center field. Dejesus loaded the bases with no outs before centerfielder Oliver Zapata hit into a double play, scoring a run.

Dejesus came out of the game after four innings. He gave up five runs on four hits while allowing a season high five walks. Francisco Valera came in to pitch the fifth inning.

Right fielder Bijan Rademacher gave Kane County a 6-1 lead with a groundout to third base in the sixth inning.

Right fielder Logan Vick drove Washington with a sacrifice fly to centerfield, bringing the Captains to a 6-2 deficit.

Valera pitched two innings, allowing one run on two hits. Jack Wagoner came on for the seventh inning.

Cougars’ starter Pena pitched six innings, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out three. Ian Dickson came into start the seventh.

The Captains scored five in the bottom of the seventh inning to walk-off with the win. Third baseman Leonardo Castillo hit a three-run homerun to the bleachers in left field, bringing the Captains to 6-5. Washington tripled for his third hit of the game, to put the tying run at third with two outs.

The Cougars made the second move to the bullpen in the inning, bringing in lefty Matt Iannazzo. Vick doubled home Washington to tie the game at six. Catcher Jeremy Lucas singled to center field with the bases loaded to walk off in game one.

Dickson surrendered four runs on two hits in two thirds of an inning. Iannazzo took the loss, giving up the winning run on two hits and two walks.

Wagoner picked up his second win of the year, pitching a perfect seventh inning in relief.

Washington led the Captains with three hits in the first game, accounting for a third of the total hits.

In game two, righty Luis Morel (1-1, 12.10 ERA) toed the rubber and was opposed by lefthander Michael Heesch (0-1, 3.21 ERA).

First baseman Joe Sever gave Lake County an early 1-0 lead with a RBI single to right field.

Kane County tied the game with some help from the Captains in the third inning. Catcher Chadd Krist coaxed a one-out walk. Centerfielder Oliver Zapata popped up a fly ball behind third base. The left fielder, third baseman and shortstop came together but the ball dropped in the middle. Shortstop Dorssys Paulino threw the ball past the second baseman allowing Krist to score.

Designated hitter Dan Vogelbach hammered a leadoff homerun off the fieldhouse in right field, his second homer of the doubleheader. Kane County led 2-1 in the fourth inning.

Morel came out of the game after three and a third innings. He allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits. He walked three and struck out five. Reliever Josh Martin came in and finished the last two batters.

Lake County scored three runs in the fifth inning to take the lead for good. Second baseman Robel Garcia doubled to center field. A groundout moved Garcia to third base. Paulino hit a grounder to third baseman Jeimer Candelario. Candelario threw home to get Garcia at the dish, but Garcia knocked the ball out of Krist’s hands, scoring the run. Sever struck again with a two-run double to the right field corner, giving the Captains a 4-2 lead.

Heesch was relieved following the fifth inning by reliever Stephen Perakslis. Heesch took the loss, giving up four runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out seven. Perakslis gave up one hit in his one inning of work.

Louis Head came in and retired the Cougars in order for his first save of the year.

Martin picked up the win, allowing one walk in two and two thirds innings of work.

Lake County outhit Kane County 7-2 in the nightcap. Sever had a 3-3 game with two RBI’s while Garcia added two hits of his own. Right fielder Anthony Santander had one hit in his Captains debut.

Manager Scooter Tucker spoke on the doubleheader dramatics, “Winning two games in a row is great but winning two in one day, it is really great for the team. To come from behind in both games, it is definitely a confidence builder for this team.”

Lake County will look to sweep the three game series on Tuesday night. LHP Ryan Merritt (1-2, 3.05 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for Lake County and will oppose RHP Lendy Castillo (0-1, 6.60 ERA). First pitch from Classic Park is scheduled for 6:30 PM. 

Captains throw away game in ninth, lose 5-4

EASTLAKE, OH – The Lake County Captains (6-15) held a 4-3 lead heading into the ninth inning but could not close the game as the Clinton Lumberkings (9-10) scored two runs in the top of the ninth to win the game 5-4.

Righthander Jake Sisco (0-2, 1.72 ERA) made his fourth start of the season for the Captains as he took on lefty Tyler Pike (1-2, 1.93 ERA) for the Lumberkings.

The Lumberkings scored three quick runs in the first inning thanks to three hits, an error and wild pitch, with the big blow of the inning coming off the bat of right fielder Gaby Guerrero for an RBI triple.

The Captains countered with three runs of their own to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Second baseman Erik Gonzalez led off with an infield single, third baseman Leonardo Castillo walked with one out, and then right fielder Logan Vick followed with an RBI single to right field plating Gonzalez. Center fielder Luigi Rodriguezbrought in Castillo with a single – his seventh RBI of the year – and then Vick came home on a groundout by shortstop Dorssys Paulino.

Sisco came out for the sixth inning and allowed a single and a walk before Captains manager Scooter Tucker made the call to the bullpen. Reliever Nick Pasquale stepped into the jam and worked out of it without allowing a run.

Sisco finished the game going five-plus innings of work and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits. He gave up two walks and struck out one.

“After the first inning, it looked like it was going to be a short day. But he looked good as he pitched into the sixth inning,” manager Scooter Tucker said on Sisco’s night.

The Captains took a short-lived 4-3 lead in the eighth inning. Paulino led off the inning with a single and after a wild pitch and a groundout he was at third with one out. Reliever Richard White uncorked a wild pitch which brought Paulino home.

The Captains brought in Francisco Valera to close out the game in the ninth, but he was unable to finish off the game. After recording two quick outs he walked first baseman Jordy Lara and pinch-hitter Taylor Ard came in and hit a single to third base that Castillo wildly threw over the first baseman’s head putting runners on second and third.

Valera followed that miscue up with a wild pitch to bring in the tying run. The Captains made their third straight mistake when first baseman Nellie Rodriguez was unable to come up with a throw from Valera after a soft dribbler back to the mound. As the ball rolled down the right field line, Clinton moved ahead for a 5-4 lead they would not relinquish.

The Captains attempted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth when Castillo lined a two-out ground-rule double into the right field bullpen. With the tying run on second base, Clinton brought in right-hander Grady Wood to finish out the game. Vick ended the threat with a ground out to first base.

White picked up the win, allowing one run in one and two thirds innings of relief. Wood got his third save with retiring the only batter he faced.  Valera was struck with the loss, giving up two runs (both unearned) on only one hit and two walks.

Pasquale threw three near-perfect innings after getting out of the jam in the sixth inning.

“We have asked him to come in and pitch multiple innings and he did a nice job tonight to follow Jake [Sisco],” said Tucker.

Luigi Rodriguez and Vick led the team with two hits and RBI each. The Captains out hit the Lumberkings eight to seven on the night.

The Captains and Lumberkings will conclude their three game series on Saturday afternoon. Lake County will send right-hander Dylan Baker (0-2, 4.20 ERA) to the mound against right-hander Matt Anderson (0-2, 7.50 ERA) for Clinton. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM from Classic Park.