Pioneers Fail to Finish

Jackson, MI – The Delta College baseball team started off hot in their double-header with Jackson on Tuesday, taking a 7-1 lead after three innings but couldn't hold on and lost, 10-9.  Game two saw them also take a 3-1 lead before losing, 6-3.  The losses drop their record to 7-14 on the season and 2-6 in MCCAA East play.

Nolan Raymond provided the big knock in game one, hitting his first college homerun with a grand slam in the first inning to put DC up, 4-0.  Another Raymond hit scored Nick Johnson in the third and a Jackson Lund double plated two more to make it 7-1 before Jackson scored five runs in the fourth to tighten things up. 

The Pioneers led 9-7 going in to the top of the seventh before a solo homerun made it 9-8.  With two outs and nobody on, a misplayed flyball to right field but a runner at second base for the Jets and when a slow roller to shortstop turned in to a two base error, the game was tied.  A triple to the right-center gap gave Jackson the lead and the win, despite Delta putting the game-tying run at second in the bottom of the frame.

Alex Snider (1-2) took the loss for Delta in relief of starting pitcher Joe Tany.  Snider threw the final three innings, giving up two earned runs while striking out four.  Raymond led the offense with two hits and five RBI while Lund added two hits of his own and Cam Fowler went 2-for-3 with two runs and a steal.

Jackson led off game two with a solo homerun to make it 1-0 before Delta plated two runs in the bottom of the first on a double-steal and a groundout.  Cam Floyd led off the bottom of the second with a double and scored on a Kyle Belger single to give DC a 3-1 lead.  Jackson scored single runs in the third and fourth innings to tie the game.

A single, double and triple as well as a walk, a hit batter, a passed ball and an error in a disastrous fifth inning gave Jackson three runs and the final 6-3 score.  Drew Schultz took his first loss on the mound for the 2019 season throwing four and a third innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits.

Offensively, Delta was led by Nick Johnson with two hits while Belger and Raymond had RBI's and Fowler added a run and a stolen base. 

"We had leads in each of the four games we played down here," said Coach Smith after the Jackson series.  "Twice we had leads in the seventh or eighth and didn't finish.  If we can somehow keep the games close and then learn to finish we've got the makings of an outstanding club."

The Pioneers next travel to Henry Ford Community College on Friday before hosting the Eagles on Saturday for their home opener.  Delta plays their home games at The Harvey Randall Wickes Recreation Center located at 7431 McCarty Road in Saginaw Township.  First pitch is scheduled for 1pm.