Delta Wins Eight Inning Thriller

Detroit, MI – The Delta College Pioneer baseball team split their opening games of the 2019 MCCAA Eastern conference on Friday against Schoolcraft, winning a thriller in eight innings, 7-6 before dropping the nightcap, 4-1.  Their overall record now sits at 6-9 on the season.  The games were played at The Corner ballpark, former home of historic Tiger Stadium.

Schoolcraft jumped out to a 6-0 in game one before Delta came storming back with five runs in the top of the fifth.  Cam Fowler and Matt Fisher both singled to start the inning before Carson Longstreth and Lucas Sella drew two-out walks to make it 6-1.  Randy Rangel then doubled home two runs to make it 6-3 before Cam Floyd singled to bring in two more.

With the score still at 6-5 in the top of the seventh, Delta was down to it's last out and when Rangel hit a fly ball to left field, it appeared as if the game was over.  But the Ocelot left fielder dropped the ball to give DC life.  Braeden Lamberg replaced Rangel at first and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  With two strikes, Floyd came through for the Pioneers by lacing a single to right-center and scoring Lamberg with the game tying run.

Starting pitcher Drew Schultz was replaced in the seventh by lefty Alex Dingee who despite giving up a one-out double induced Schoolcraft into three fly balls to put the game in extra innings. 

Fisher led off the eighth and reached on an error before a Nick Johnson sacrifice bunt was also played into an error.  A double-play ball gave Schoolcraft new hope, however, but when Nolan Raymond singled to center to bring home Johnson, Delta held a 7-6 lead.

Dingee would then strike out the side in the bottom of the frame for his second win of the season against no defeats.  Schultz gave up four earned runs on eight hits while striking out nine for the no-decision.

Delta was led on offense by Cam Floyd with two hits and three RBI while Randy Rangel added two hits, two RBI and a run.  Nolan Raymond also collected two hits including the game winner.

Delta jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first in game two as Matt Fisher was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a Randy Rangel single.  But that would be it for Delta as they surrendered four runs in the third and never threatened on offense. 

Connor Moe took the loss for DC, throwing four innings and giving up four earned runs on five hits while striking out four.  Delta will play their next series in Jackson as the home team on Friday and the visitors on Saturday.  Friday's games start at 2pm while Saturday is scheduled for a 1pm start.  Jackson is currently 8-5 on the season and 2-0 in the MCCAA East.