After Non-Conference Sweep, Leafs Struggle With USF
April 18, 2009
GOSHEN, Ind. (4/15)
vs. Great Lakes Christian
Solid pitching and three big innings helped the Maple Leafs to a double-header sweep of second-year program Great Lakes Christian on Wednesday.
In game one, Goshen tallied six runs in the first and 10 in the fourth as they cruised to a 16-0 victory. Sophomore Jordan Miller pitched all five innings and allowed just two base runners. Junior Josh Yates led the offense, going 2-for-2 with four RBI’s, including a double and a home run.
The nightcap was more of the same as Yates went the distance on the mound, allowing just one hit. Senior Greg Meyer, junior Joel King, and senior Aaron Keister all got two hits as the Leafs scored seven times in the third to go on for the 12-0 win.
GOSHEN, Ind. (4/16)
vs. University of Saint Francis
A day later it was back to conference play as Goshen hosted the second-place Cougars. The Maple Leafs jumped ahead early on a two-run blast to left-center by junior catcher Sean Sears.
Saint Francis starter Matt Degitz – among the nations leaders with a 1.17 E.R.A. – settled in after Sear’s home run and held Goshen scoreless for the next five innings.
Meanwhile, Maple Leaf freshman Shane Davis was also at the top of his game, holding a high-octane Cougar offense off the board until the fifth inning. Saint Francis scratched three runs across in the fifth and added a single tally in the sixth to take the 4-2 advantage.
Goshen looked for the late comeback and nearly found it as Adam Zehr knocked in Tom McDowell in the seventh. Cougar closer Mickey Cassidy, however, was able to strand Zehr as Saint Francis won game one 4-3.
The Cougars bats came alive in game two as they pounded out 23 hits and took advantage of five Maple Leaf errors in a 23-3 win. Sears managed to have a 2-for-2 game with two RBI’s for Goshen.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (4/18)
vs. University of Saint Francis
As the conference series shifted to Fort Wayne, it was again the Maple Leafs that jumped to the early lead. Goshen scored once in the first before adding five in the second inning as they took a 6-0 lead.
Saint Francis immediately got back into the game with two runs in the bottom of the second and three in the third as they took advantage of five Goshen miscues on the game.
Still down 6-5 in the fifth, the Cougars rallied for five runs before putting the Leafs away 10-6. Junior Zac Miller led Goshen, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles.
In the series finale, the Leafs could manage just five hits as they were shutout 9-0.
