ADRIAN, Mich. – The Siena Heights baseball team slugged its way to a 16-4 victory before dropping a 1-0 decision against Rochester in non-conference doubleheader action on Wednesday.
The Saints used two big innings – a nine-run first and a seven-run fifth – to win the opener, but managed only five hits in the second game.
In the first game, Cory Lehman (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) batted 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs while Mike Lollo(Allen Park, Mich./Cabrini) contributed a 3-for-4 game with three runs and two RBIs for the Saints (13-8).
Kyle Benschoter (Hudson, Mich./Hudson) went 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs, Josh White (Brooklyn, Mich./Columbia Central) was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs and Brett Howard (Sylvania, Ohio/Saint Francis de Sales) batted 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs in support of winning pitcher Nathan Wilkerson (Osseo, Mich./Hudson).
Wilkerson had a bumpy start, giving up four hits, including three that didn't leave the infield, and two walks in the first inning. Rochester's Spenser McKee had an RBI single and Carlos Zabaleta connected for a three-run double to spot the visitors a 4-0 lead before the Saints ran off 16 unanswered runs.
In the SHU first, Lollo and Benschoter started the inning with back-to-back singles. Lehman then had an RBI single and Howard crunched a two-run double, closing the Saints' deficit to 4-3.
After Dan Abbott (Plymouth, Mich./Lutheran Westland) walked, White had an RBI single, Alec Duncan (La Salle, Mich./Saint Mary Catholic) walked and Todd Vandercook (Boca Raton, Fla./West Boca Raton) reached on an error, but drove in the go-ahead run. Lollo added a two-run single, Benschoter hit a sacrifice fly and Lehman smacked an RBI double.
During the fifth, Siena Heights tacked on a bunch of insurance. Corey Caldwell (Ypsilanti, Mich./Lincoln Consolidated) and Duncan singled and Vandercook drove in a run on a fielder's choice. The Saints then scored their last six runs with two outs.
Lollo, Benschoter, Lehman and Howard strung together four straight singles with Benschoter's driving in two. Abbott followed with a three-run double, Caldwell walked and White hit an RBI double.
Wilkerson lasted six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. He also walked four before Riley Smith (Farmington, Mich./Farmington) worked a scoreless seventh.
The nightcap provided less offense with the only run coming during Rochester's second.
Austin Timmerman hit an RBI single to plate Alex Hacias, who reached on an error.
Lehman was SHU's leading hitter, going 2-for-3.
Travis Mielcarek (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) was the tough-luck losing pitcher. He tossed six innings, allowing zero earned runs and five hits. He also recorded three strikeouts and two walks before Jake Kret (Wyandotte, Mich./Roosevelt) pitched a scoreless seventh.
Caleb Tifft was the winning pitcher for the Warriors (13-8). He threw six shutout innings before Ron Carter worked the seventh for a save.
The Saints (13-9) will be back in action this weekend when Madonna visits for a four-game Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference series. Doubleheaders will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday and SUnday.
