Delta Splits with Henry Ford

Taylor, MI – A day after allowing just three hits in 14 innings, Delta pitcher Carson Longstreth had a lot to live up to as the starter for Delta on the bump.  Although the freshman righty had a rough go of it – hitting the first batter of the game and walking six total – he gutted it out and picked up his first college win as Delta defeated Henry Ford 5-3.  The nightcap saw the Hawks grab an exciting 3-1 victory but drop the series, three games to one.  Delta is now 10-15 overall on the year and 5-7 in MCCAA East division play.

"I couldn't get adjusted to that mound but I wanted to save our (bull)pen so I just kept throwing," said Longstreth after the game.    His complete game effort included three earned runs on six walks, two hit batters, eight K's and five hits which evens his records to 1-1 on the year.

Down 1-0 after the first inning, Delta scored three runs in the top of the second as Jackson Lund singled and moved to third on a Nolan Raymond sacrifice bunt that was played in to a two base error.  Lucas Sella and Cam Floyd followed up with singles to make it 2-1 and Kyle Belger scored Sella on a squeeze to make it 3-1 by the time the inning had ended.

Henry Ford had a scoring opportunity eliminated in the bottom of the second as Cam Fowler threw a would-be runner out at third base.  Matt Fisher made it 3-1 in the third as he scored on a straight steal of home plate.  A double-play on a pop up ended a threat by the Hawks in the bottom of the frame.

With the score 4-3 heading in the top of the seventh, Fowler hit a one-out single to center and moved to second on a fielder's choice.  Lund would then knock him home with a sharp single to left to make it 5-3.  Longstreth would finish it off in the seventh with two pop-ups and strikeout.

Game two was scoreless through four innings before Henry Ford broke through with three runs in the bottom of the fifth.  The score would remain that way until the final frame where Delta made things interesting.

Randy Rangel led the inning off with a single and was replaced with Jake Glover as Henry Ford replaced their starting pitcher.  Cam Floyd was then walked to put the game-tying run at first with no-outs.  Drew Long then hit a smash to third base that was gloved on a diving catch before touching the bag for one out.  Lucas Sella then grounded out to shortstop for the second out before Cam Fowler singled to score Floyd and put runners at second and third with two outs and the game winning run at the plate. 

But a pop up ended the threat and the game, as Delta fell, 3-1.  Matt Fisher and Randy Rangel each had two hits for Delta in the losing effort.  Jackson Lund took the loss on the hill, dropping his record to 1-2 on the season.  He threw four innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits. 

The 'Neers are back in action tomorrow as they host the Bay College Norse in a non-league double-header at Wickes Park.  Game time is 1pm.